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Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1930, Page 4

We arc almost on the eve of Anzac - Day, and with the sale of poppies proceeding everyone is privileged to help the diggers who have fallen on hard times. The local organisation is grateful to all those who are so kindlj undertaking the sale of poppies at this period, and it is intended to apply the money raised to relief work which is usually granted through the local bodes on a subsidy basis, thereby augmenting the full amount available. The war period is now rather far olf. It is receding year by year, and a new generation is growing up who know but little of the experiences of tho war events personally, hut there are still very many with close lfiemories of all that the war involved and the sacrifice it called for. Those who. served are surely worthy of the respect and help in time of need. The country has done a great deal for its servicemen, and is prepared to keep on doing it through certain channels. But there are’ those outside the strict letter of the law to whom pensions and economic assistance do not apply. The patriotic societies have helped tremendously with the funds so liberally supplied in war time, but the money is petering out, and is being husbanded mainly for the sick and afflicted. The unemployed fit ex-serviceman often has a difficult 'time, particularly when he is also a family man. The Returned Soldiers’ organisation concentrates to help ! those specially in that category, and with the aid of the local bodies subsidy a great deal has been done in the past. It is necessary to continue the good work in the future. There is a great amount of unemployment in New Zealand just now, and naturally many ex-serviceme are involved. The money raised through the sale of poppies will not suffice in itself to meet all the demands. hut it will help greatly, and it will be possible to succour many deserving eases. It has been remarked that uncertainty about the future has caused the break-down in health of many returned men who have become despondent over their fate. A good response to the sale of poppies may help to save some such possible cases trom dire effects. The money received n ill he gratefully acknowledged and faithfully applied. Tho puppy has boon described as the commonest of field flowers, hut it has a gav appearance mid is cheerful in its bloom. The greater the number sold, the more cheer will he brought to the needy, so that the more one sees of the badge

these days, the greater the assurance that the mere one secs of the badge these days, the greater the assurance that the community is as usual doing its duty to those who have earned the fullest consideration at the hands of the people.