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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 206, 30 August 1940, Page 4

THE inauguration of a "Spitfire for Victory" fund through these columns now carries with it the official recognition of His Worship the Mayor to whom the final sum will be handed when the list is closed. To many, the idea of town and district combining to provide a fighter 'plane, to be known as "Spirit of Whakatane" or "Whakatane" presented direct to the Imperial authorities by this district, and if possible piloted by a man from this district, had immense appeal. The thought conveyed a definite chance to contribute directly to the magnificent performance of the fighting pilots of the Royal Air Force in defending the shores of the Homeland. From a patriotic point of view the worthiness of the appeal could not be improved upon; from the loyal standpoint the raising of £6250 would be an achievement which would be remembered with pride, while the publicity and advertising which would inevitably follow would p]ace the district well on the map. The suggestion of course hinges on the possibility of such a sum tiding found within a limited area. Again there is also the possibility of the Rangitaiki supplier's scheme to provide an aeroplane: from the seven hundred farmers on the Plains who are shareholders in the Dairy Company. Before sueh an objective could be entertained it would be necessary to discover whether or not, the country district would be combining with the appeal for funds. If not,, it is fairly patent to those with a knowledge of the district that the full amount could not be raised from the borough alone, a,nd the sum in hand would therefore merely be handed on to the - Government to swell the total of the Dominion fund for the purchase of fighters. This would be falling in. line with the majority of the other country districts throughout the Dominion, but the originality and the fine spirit behind the Whakatane idea has much to commend itself. Can it be done:, and if so, can it be clone by the farming community alone,, by the Borough alone, or by the two combined. These are the most pressing questions which are exercising the minds of all interested persons today. Meanwhile time slips by.