HEALTH STAMP CAMPAIGN

Evening Star, Issue 22142, 24 September 1935, Page 5

HEALTH STAMP CAMPAIGN

WHAT IT CAN ACHIEVE NATIONAL SURVEY OF VALUABLE WORK The 1935 health stamp campaign will be officially inaugurated on Sunday evening, September 29, by His Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, who as its patron will commend the movement to the people of the Dominion through the medium of a radio address, to be broadcast from all national stations. The aim is to raise at least £IO,OOO for health camp organisations which for some years have been doing splendid work throughout the Dominion, hampered, however, by the modest nature of their financial resources. This year’s health stamp—“ Id for postage, Id for health ” —is a competitive design by Mr S. Hall, of Wellington. It is twice the size of the ordinary penny stamp, and the design, in a vertical panel with a key pattern border, emphasises that the key to health is sunshine. Within the key-shaped central panel appears a happy child in a bathing costume, playing at the seaside. The lion, organiser of the campaign, Mr L. O. Hooker, lias secured enthusiastic co-operation from many helpers throughout the Dominion, and within a few weeks of commencing his work 70 committees had been organised. Their number is rapidly growing; and, as the contributions from any district will be spent for the benefit of the children in that district, special stimulus is thus gvcn to local effort.

The Children’s Health Camp Movement has grown within a few yegrs to substantial proportions, the good work extending from Auckland. to Southland, with at least 11 organisations concerned in holding camps. Last year, through their instrumentality, nearly 2,000 children enjoyed haippy and healthful holidays under proper supervision. Special attention in all cases was given to their diet, recreation and rest, and the children left. the camps not only improved physically, hut trained to take care of their health.

The Community Sunshine Association of Auckland in its camp at Motuihi Island provided for 1,050 children who were given a holiday for throe weeks. But for lack of funds the association would have given facilities to 1,200 children.

The Waikato Children’s Camp League has a permanent camp at Port Waikato, close to the sea on a site ensconced among the hills, where the children can hear the tui. Last year 210 children for three weeks enjoyed themselves at this pleasant resort. The Wellington Children’s Health Camp Association conducts a camp in permanent buildings near the beach at Otaki, and it was open throughout the year, except for a period of six weeks, with an average of 60 to 70 children, extended during the Christmas holidays to 90 children. The minimum .period for admission is six weeks, and 336 children had their lives brightened and their health improved by last year’s work. They come not only from Wellington, but from various towns along the west coast as far as New Plymouth, and on the cast coast as far as Napier. One interesting feature is that the Education Department recognises the camp as a school and provides two teachers. The lessons are usually given “ without tears,’.’ as the committee explains, under the fir trees in fine weather.

The Nelson Children's Health Camp Association established a camp in the Wakefield School grounds, utilising the school buildings and accommodating 20 children. Near the camp is splendid bush, and there are excellent opportunities for recreation. If funds per. nyt the association hopes to establish a permanent camp on the lines of Otaki.

The Sunlight League of New Zealand at Christchurch last year held two camps of four weeks, attended by 50 children, who were given, according to the report, a really happy time, and were also trained in health ideals. The South Canterbury Health Camp Association, Timaru, held a camp at Geraldine for 20 children last January. The association noted that the average gain in weight of the girls was 2.31 b, and the boys 31b. It is hoped to increase the number of children this summer to 50.

’ The Otago Children’s Health Camp Association has been conducting a camp on the Waikouaiti racecourse for several years, and is gradually providing suitable permanent buildings, ex tending them as funds become available. The plan for the current year is to give 80 children a full month of a joyous holiday. They will be selected from the families of relief workersj but the association will gladly extend its scope if means permit. Another Otago camp at Company Bay is conducted by. the Dunedin Methodist Central Mission. The camp site of four 'and a-half acres, eight miles from Dunedin, is handy to the beach, and the land and equipment .are free of debt. This camp provides for 100 children for nearly three mouths in tho year, and those who are responsible for its organisation are looking hopefully to the futue and an extension of their work, particularly along the lines of after-care investigation of children who pass through the camp.

The Southland Children’s Health Camp Association has a permanent camp 13 miles from Invercargill, and last year 52 children enjoyed the facilities for recreation,, good food, and rest. They stayed at the camp for a month, but the. association hopes to extend the period for two months and to take double the number of children if funds permit, because last year there was a waiting list of 50 children, all deserving cases. This brief survey of a national work demonstrates what good value can bo given for the “ health ” penny spent on the 2d “ Health ” stamp. A generous response from the public will be promptly followed by a much-needed extension of the good work.