POPPY SELLERS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 82, 23 April 1937, Page 5

POPPY SELLERS

Disappointment at Number Offering A disappointment in the small number of street eellers who came forward for the annual Poppy Day collection in Napier, was experienced this morning by the Napier branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. In all, there were only 11 street sellers, while in previous years this number has been more than doubled. Officials attributed this to the fact that two street collections had been held a short while before Poppy Day, namely the Red Cfoss and Hawke's Bay Children's Home annual appeals. While this had in no way interfered with the collections, it had been instrumental in reducing the number of volunteers for street collections. "We have one opportunity only to collect," said one 'of the officials this morning. "That is just before Anzao Day, while the other organisations may collect at any time of the year. I don't think it is quite fair that this jamming should be carried on, although I am sure that it was by no mearts intentional. The poppies are the easiest thing in the world to sell— any of the collectors will tell you that — but we must have a large numper o,f sellers to cover the ground." Commencing at an early hour this morning, the helpers who did offer their- services reaped a bountiful harvest. No details were available at the time of going to Press of the results of the appeal, as it will be carried on until businesses in Napier close at 9 p.m.