The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13th, 1940. WELFARE APPEAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 135, 13 March 1940, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13th, 1940. WELFARE APPEAL

THOSE who have had experience of the work of the Salvation Army and the Young Men's Christian Association among the soldiers on previous occasions will vouch for the quality of the service rendered and will be the staunchest advocates of the Fighting Services Welfare Fund now being raised throughout New Zealand. In the last war those two bodies were to be found wherever New Zealand or other British soldiers were established, unostentatiously but efficiently attending , to the wants of the men and providing them with recreation and inspiration. The soldiers of the last war had no better friends than those who gave their services cheerfully under the banners of the Salvation Army and the Y.M.CA. But this widespread service to the soldiers cannot be given except at considerable cost; hence the appeal to the public of New Zealand for funds with which to carry on the good work. Both the Salvation Army and the Y.M.CA. are dependant on the public for the wherewithal to establish recreation huts or tents, provide reading and writing material, music, games and other entertainments that effectively brighten the leisure hours of the troops. The t?wo organisations aim on this occasion at raising a fund of £100,000, and they are assured of ready assistance from the people of New Zealand. No doubt need be entertained that good use will be made of the fund. The campaign funds are to be paid first to the credit of the National Patriotic Fund Board, which will hold them in trust for the specific purposes announced in the campaign. Regular budgets are submitted to the board from the two organisations, indicating their financial requirements, and the board issues the necessary financial authorities. But so that the budgetary system shall not hamper their work, both the Y.M.CA. and the Salvation Army are authorised to draw on a substantial imprest account without prior application for spending authority. Thus emergency needs can be met and the comfort of the fighting services is able to receive first consideration, but eventually there is a complete check and guarantee that the money is well spent.