"SPITFIRE FOR VICTORY" FUND.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 208, 4 September 1940, Page 4

"SPITFIRE FOR VICTORY" FUND.

WHILE we feel that there are many people in Whakatane who would be willing to subscribe liberally to the reqently initiated fund for the purchase of a fighter aircraft for the defence of England, we realise that the list opened in the BEACON last week is hampered by the feeling of indecision as to the method of applying the fund. There are many whom we have contacted, who state that until it is definitely decided whether the district as a whole is prepared to subscribe to the purchase of an aeroplane to be identified by the name "Whakatane" they will make no gesture. Such an attitude points to the promise of a special effort if a fighter craft specifically from this district were decided upon, or alternately a nominal donation should, the fund be merely pooled with the Government gesture of £100,000. What the people of Whakatane want to know, is whether or not they are to have the objective of raising £5000 (the sum required to purchase a Spitfire in English currency) or merely to subscribe to a limited local fund of no set figure. The answer to this question cannot be settled until it is ascertained whether the country communities will be co-operating and this in. turn depends on the outcome of the recent suggestion before the Rangitaiki Dairy Company suppliers. In the meantime however there is danger of persons in this district sending their donations* to swell other subscription lists opened in the larger centres. It will be necessary for the Dairy Company, in order to avoid confusion, to waste no time in coming to a decision and making a public statement to that effect. When this has been done, the sponsers of the suggestion for a district plane will take, steps to call a representative meeting together which will decide firstly whether the suggestion is a feasible one. secondly, the method of collection and thirdly the manner in which the money shall be forwarded- to the Imperial authorities in order to ensure that the idea behind the project shall be carried out.