OVERSEAS RELIEF

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1939, Page 6

OVERSEAS RELIEF

INQUIRIES BY RED CROSS MEMBERS NATIONAL PATRIOTIC COUNCIL ACTION. INFORMATION BEING OBTAINED FROM ABROAD. Speakin.u, in his capacity as ehairinan of the National Patriotic Advisory Council, the Mayor (Mr T. .Jordan) stated today that there had been a g'reat deal of enquiry throughout New Zealand during the past two months as to what could be done by our people for the relief of overseas suffering and hardship. "Especially has this been the case with Red Cross members.” Mr Jordan continued. “The National Advisory Council has had this matter in hand for some time with a view to giving a direction to this voluntary effort of our women and to securing the best possible results from their work. To that end we enlisted the services of the Acting-Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, and commissioned him while he was in England to obtain first-hand information on the following points: (1) Whether, for International Red Cross purposes, any help from New Zealand is required or desired either in the form of money or goods. If the latter, what goods would be most useful. (2) What international relief funds, if any, are there at the moment which could appropriately be commended to New Zealand’s support either in money or in kind. In particular, is there in existence in connection with the present war any equivalent of the Belgian Relief Fund of 1914-18. (3) What provision, if any, exists through international arrangement for gift goods and comforts being transmitted to any New Zealand members of the Imperial Forces (particularly the R.A.F.) who may be prisoners of war in Germany, and if such machinery exists, what particular class of comforts, etc., are . most desirable. (4) Generally, with regard to any gifts from New Zealand for patriotic purposes in England, whether money, goods or foodstuffs, would be . most acceptable. "It is hoped that this information will soon be at hand and the National Advisory Council will then be in a position to make its decision. Some weeks ago a deputation from the council waited upon the Minister for Marketing to ask him to make available a supply of wool for knitting purposes through the Provincial Councils. Unfortunately the wool is not yet available owing to the very heavy demands of the Army Department. It will thus be necessary for the eager volunteers to exercise patience a little longer. In the meantime may I suggest as an avenue for their generous impulse the other patriotic purposes that are now before them, the appeal for funds for camp amenities and the Flag Day?”