COUPON SYSTEM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 1, 9 January 1942, Page 6

COUPON SYSTEM

MONEY FOR THE TROOPS

TARANAKI SUGGESTION

The institution of a coupon system by whiteh the troops overseas could be more fully assisted financially was advocated' by the Inglewood District Patriotic Committee at a special meeting held to consider the suggestion. After a full discussion It was decided to forward a remit to the Do minion conference of patriotic councils lickl in Wellington last week.

The remit covers the following

points-:—■

"That in an endeavour more fully to assist financially the troops overseas, a coupon system be instituted to operate on the following lines:—

(1) Coupons to be made available for sale and purchase in New Zealand for posting to troops overseas supplementary to the present £30 per annum remittance limit.

(2) Sales of coupons in New Zealand to be administered on a national basis in preference to being made through patriotic commitee, thus ensuring that only genuine

coupons are forwarded

(3) Sales could be through post offices.

(4) The coupons to be of various denominations, the largest in value not to exceed 50.

(5) Coupons, forwarded by next of kin, relatives or friends, to be made redeemable overseas against New Zealand-made goods and, if possible, goods of British manufacture also.

((i) The coupons to be redeemable at the Y.M.C.A. and, if possible, New Zealand and British canteens.

(7) Coupons overseas to have free negotiation, between the troops, that is, the free exchange of coupons for cash to be permitted.

(8) Just as postage stamps are forwarded to base camps for the use of. the troops, coupons could similarly be sent b3 r letter post."'

National Viewpoint

It was: pointed out by Mr W .R. Moir, mover of tlic remit, that from a national viewpoint, if the Government did permit such a scheme, the national balance Avoukl be improved, because of less being sent cut of the country in cash remittances through goods being forwarded against which coupons would be redeemable.

Copies of the remit liave been forwarded to the Taranaki delegates, and Mr P. Thomson, Stratford, has been personally interviewed in order that conference members Avould haA*e a full explanation of the various points. During discussion on the general coupon system it was suggested that the following procedure appeared feasible regarding goods made available to troops as a free patriotic issue.. As it Avas understood that then Ave re already certain remits regarding unaddressed parcels, the suggestion's Avere forwarded to Wellington for consideration. They are:—

"Providing ample goods could be made available in canteens or the Y.M.C.A., a system of remitting coupons to troops be adopted in lieu of unaddressed parcels; The equivalent in value of present unaddressed parcels forwarded by patriotic committees could be expended by those committees. The actual destination of such coupons could be finalised in either of the following Avays:—

(1) The National Patriotic Fund Board could authorise an issue, along Avith the pay, at three-month-ly intervals, coupons of a value of say 10s, the approximate cost of present parcels; or

This, it Avas pointed out, would necessitate the National Patriotic Fund Board purchasing in bulk the

assortment of goods now made available by various patriotic committees and shipping them in bulk to be exchanged for the coupons issued against such goods. In many cases private parcels in excess number were received by boys and naturally an unaddressed parcel was not so well appreciated, it was stated. If this system Avas in vogue it was considered that perhaps some more unfortunate comrade who did not receive private parcels might be given coupons by his comrade and thus be able to receive goods badly needed. The suggested system we-uid bring about quite a saving in costs as' the cost of cases, ilu- freight and other charges were often quite eon-

(2) 1 •*;i!• ii dish-jet enu'.d be responsible for providing lor each boy from I lie listrict am! remit to each hoy coiipons of a certain value."