A DESERVING APPEAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2537, 1 February 1923, Page 3

A DESERVING APPEAL.

PUBLIC MEETING TO-NIGHT.

The Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) elsewhere in this issue convenes a public meeting to be held in the Town Hall supper-room to-night for the purpose of hearing an address by Mr Clutlia McKenzie (ex-M.P.) on behalf of the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund to aid the blind people of New Zealand. The notice of the meeting is short but it is hoped that a special effort will be made to ensure a large and representative attendance. Mr McKenzie is a fluent speaker and the object should touch 'the hearts of all. The address will be interspersed with vocal items. The fund has been collected on a quota basis. Each district has preferred to know exactly how much is its fair share and exactly what is expected of it. The sum aimed at from each disti’ict is an amount aggregating 1/- per head of the population. Usually this has been over-subscribed, sometimes doubly and trebly. About £25,000 is now in hand towards the required sum of £45,000. This bears a Government subsidy of 24/- in the £, making the total endowment £IOO,000, the income from which is to be expended on the establishing in trades and assisting in life of the 500 or 600 civilian blind of the Dominion. The public has everywhere responded most generously to the appeal wherever it has been made. The New Zealand Committee will be most sincerely grateful to give the fund a good start in Foxton and we feel sure Foxton will not be found behind other towns in supporting such a deserving cause.