"Thanks a Million"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 741, 25 September 1953, Page 15

"Thanks a Million"

ONE million pounds worth of health stamps have been -sold since the Health Stamps for Health Camps scheme was introduced more than 23 years ago. Of that sum more than £300,000 has been applied to the maintenance of camps, from Maunu in the north to Omaui in the south. About 2000 children a year benefit from the scheme, which feceives support also from Art Union funds and individual donations. ' The story of New Zealand’s stamps for camps is told in Thanks a Million, an NZBS_ documentary’ programme | scheduled for broadcast from the Commercial Stations on Sunday, October 4. At 8.45 p.m., on that day, Lady Norrie will open this year’s campaign in a broadcast from all: National and Commercial stations, ; The success of the health camps has been demonstrated by the fact that of every 100 children who attend, 94 are found to be much improved in: health on leaving, five are satisfactory, and only one fails to show improvement. Camp authorities emphasise that better health is not brought about by the use of medicines or of medical treatment, but by extra rest, early bed-time, regular wholesome meals and plenty of fresh air, And the improvement can be main-

tained. The idea behind the camps is to bring children who are under par up to a’ desirable standard of health and to instruct parents as to the best possible wey of keeping them there. To maintain the Health Camps it is estimated that every one of the 520,176 homes in New Zealand must purchase stamps to the value of 4/2. And they do purchase them. Every year the income from stamp sales has climbed. In 1950-51 it was £119,380; in 1951-52 it was £119,810; in 1952-53 it was £123,979. Thanks a Million was written by Allan Sleeman and produced by him at the Christchurch studios of the NZBS. It will be broadcast on Sunday. {Qetober 4, at the a ahi times; 2ZA. 1920 am: I7R > 11 am. 4ZB, 2.0 p.m.; 1ZB, 4.45 p.m.; 3ZB, 1.0 p.m.