LEPERS AT MAKOGAI

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 7

LEPERS AT MAKOGAI

To The Editor Sir,—For a number of years past the people of New Zealand have sent gifts at Christmas time to the- 607 lepers who are isolated at Makogai, a lonely isle in the Fiji group. One hundred and twenty-seven of these lepers are from New Zealand’s dependencies. There are 89 leper children on the island. These sadly afflicted people look forward to this festive season with pleasant anticipation of the arrival of the steamer from New Zealand bearing gifts and messages of goodwill. However difficult our own circumstances at present are, when they are compared with the lot of these stricken people we find that we have much to be thankful for, namely, that we continue to enjoy good health, and have our liberty. On behalf of our less fortunate friends, therefore, I have no hesitation in once again appealing to the generosity of the people of New Zealand to supply them with such Christmas gifts as gramophone records, jig-saw puzzles, games, toys, musical instruments, sewing silks, embroidery cottons, soap, sw-eets, pipes, tobacco. Gifts of money will be most useful.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank the Postmaster-General and the Minister of Railways for having kindly reduced charges to half-rates on all parcels addressed to me for the lepers. Donations may be sent to me at 172 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch, C. 1., and all gifts will be duly acknowledged by letter.

Our Empire is passing through . a. crisis and the “few crumbs” we give to the lepers will not hinder our cause, rather will they bring God’s blessing on us all.—Yours, etc., ' P. J. TWOMEY, Honorary Collector. September 10, 1940.