White poppy seller Marion Sanson is confronted by RSA manager Kyle Dalton.
White poppy seller Marion Sanson is confronted by RSA manager Kyle Dalton.
White poppy sellers went head-to-head with red poppy sellers in Whanganui on Friday.
About a dozen RSA red poppy sellers set-up on street corners and outside shops for the annual Anzac Day poppy appeal.
At Majestic Square and across the road were two white poppy sellers, including Marion Sanson, who said they were not out to cause offence.
Ms Sanson was confronted by Whanganui RSA manager Kyle Dalton about permits but the brief meeting ended amicably.
Mr Dalton told the Chronicle afterwards he welcomed the white poppy sellers adding that defending freedom of speech and expression was a large part of what the red poppy appeal stood for.
"Our service men and women fought and still serve to protect those rights and the white poppy people are entitled to have and express their views. It would have been nice if they had told us beforehand though," Mr Dalton said.
Ms Sanson said the white poppy is an international symbol of remembrance for all the casualties of war - civilians as well as armed forces personnel - and of peace.
"We are becoming more involved with other's conflicts and we are about promoting avoiding armed conflict," Ms Sanson said.
She said it made sense for people to wear both red and white poppies.
"One looks back and one looks forward. We appreciate the the commemoration that the red poppy symbolises and our presence here is not meant to cause offence."
Proceeds from the sale of white poppies are used to fund scholarships for students conducting research on the impacts of militarisation and warfare and non-violent responses to state violence.
The white poppy sellers won't be out again on Saturday but a small army of RSA volunteers will be selling the red poppies.
Pam Dawson, is one of about a dozen volunteers and has been selling poppies for 30 years. She is also president of the RSA women's section.
She and Nita Riley - another long-time seller and past women's president - said sales on Friday were brisk and attracting interest from a cross-section of the community, and from young people.
Everie Ware, 11, was one who handed over a two dollar coin in exchange for a poppy. he said he was celebrating Anzac Day and while not sure about the details knew it was about New Zealnders fighting in wars.
Poppy day was "irrelevant to age," Ms Riley said.
Anzac Day is on Tuesday and this year's dawn service is expected to draw thousands of people in support.
Whanganui has the longest running Anzad day commemoration in New Zealand, the first being held in 1935.
