Radio Helps

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 6, 21 August 1931, Page 6

Radio Helps

Unostentatious Service ty 2ZW A QUIET but efficient service to the cause of charity has been given by radio over recent weeks. Shortly after its inception station 2ZW brought under the notice of Wellington listeners. the necessity for according support to the Mayor’s Relief Fund. Definite service was given in this direction. Immediately thereafter attention was devoted to bringing ‘under the notice of listeners the needs of the Wellington City Mission, conducted by Canon Fielden Taylor. That work is still being pursued with markedly beneficial results. . Suitable attention has also been given to cases brought under the’ notice of the Society for the Protection, of Women and Children. That society informed the station of specific cases of need that were not being handled by any other organisation. Generally speaking, the sufferers were ‘people who preferred to. suffer in poverty rather than ask for assistance. As. a result of publicity given to these cases a great deal of help was forthcoming, with the result that, for the time being, the needs of the society are fulfilled, although, of course, more will.be wanted later on. In the case of the Wellington City Mission the volume of support secured to that institution by mention of its needs over the air has been surprising. Up to date, approximately 50 tons of foodstuffs, apart from a large total of small parcels, have been made available by various generous donors. Cash to a total exceeding £500 has been received from listeners all over New Zealand and handed over to the mission. The largest sum was a cheque for £50, but, in general, the donations have been small and have come from the furthest point in the south to the extreme north. Innumerable bundles of clothing have also been provided for the mission, and no attempt has been made to compute the yolume thereof. Many pathetic cases have been cited over the air and the response of listeners to the call for assistance has never. failed. A recent case was the citation of the need of an old’ woman for. the-sum of £10, to avoid being evicted for non-payment of her rent. Within 24 hours the sum of £12/7/8. was made available by listeners and sums since received have lifted the total to £15. This’ work in the cause of charity is not altogether new to New Zealand, as the announcer of 2ZW instituted a somewhat similar service in Christchurch some three years ago, when operating an experimental station there. At various times Mr. Strachan has rendered assistance in the way of bringing humanity into the world, in feeding and clothing humanity, in furnishing homes, and, as a. final service, providing funds for burial.