RED CROSS APPEAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1940, Page 6

RED CROSS APPEAL

DOMINION ORGANISER GRATIFIED. LARGE SUMS STILL TO COME IN. ' (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Appreciative comment upon the spectacular achievement of having raised in less than four weeks, £250,000 for the Sick, Wounded and Distressed Fund of the New Zealand Red Cross Society and Order of St John was made by Mr J. Abel, hon Dominion organiser of the appeal. There are several provinces in which major schemes are still in operation, including a number of large-scale art unions which will not be completed until about the end of the month. Mr Abel said, too, that the Auckland figures could not be taken as any serious indication of finality. Auckland had set herself a quota of £75.000 The big effort was a Queen Carnival, with nine queens, and most of the money would naturally not be handed in till the last minute. Nelson had only recently come into the effort, and this field included Westport. Mr Abel indicated also that Southland and Gisborne could be looked to to do more. Otago, by already doubling its original quota of £25,000 had set a lead and he anticipated that some other provinces would aim at doubling theirs. He pointed out that the appeal was launched before the invasion of Holland, Belgium and France, and it was realised now that greater amounts would be necessary. The Lord Mayors' Fund, in London, had appealed for medical stores and ambulances. Mr Abel felt that, while the Dominion was comparatively secure from the direct effects of war. those staying at home were setting an admirable example by giving generously of their cash and resources to assist the sick and wounded.