PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 217, 12 September 1940, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

COMFORT OF TROOPS. AVENUES OF EXPENDITURE. WELLINGTON, this day. Opening the conference of secretaries of the Provincial Patriotic Councils, Lord Galway referred particularly to the part to be played by the provincial councils in assisting in the rehabilitation of men of the. forces on their discharge, and the funds which would be required for this purpose, which is one of the main matters to be discussed. Referring to the public response to appeals for funds, he said that, in particular, the way the Sick, Wounded and Distress Fund had been supported exceeded the early anticipations of the most sanguine. There had been a very good response to appeals for funds to provide comforts for the troops, and that had enabled a great deal to be done in the camps and for the echelons as they went overseas. There were some people, however, who thought the National Patriotic Fund Board was amassing vast sums of money, but he could assure them that was not. the case. In addition to providing comforts, the money had been used to build recreation huts at the camps, and improve generally the amenities available at the canip^. lie said, too, that as the new camp at Waiouru was a long way from any centre, it would be absolutely essential to provide recreational facilities from the funds for that camp. That wae an instance of the many calls on the funds. The large amount raised by the Order of St. John and the Red Cross Society was not, as some, people contended, dead money. It would all be utilised. As time went on, Si'.id Lord Galway, and the sick and wounded began to return, it would be essential for the Patriotic and Red Cross organisations to work in very close harmony. The Red Cross was a little apt in the. provinces to get rather out of touch with the centre, and, he thought, with the provincial patriotic council of the district. He thought the matter should be looked at from the bigger point of view and a close working relationship established. Lord Galway referred to the work done by the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild in collecting, sorting and packing clothing for refugees and homeless people abroad, and expressed the hope that the delegates to the conference would be able to visit the guild's headquarters at Government House and see the work being done there by an admirable band of ladies.— (Press Assn.)