PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 85, 29 June 1943, Page 7

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

EXPENDING AGENTS

POSITION EXPLAINED

Although tin. 1 re appears, to be a better appreciation now in New Zealand of the way the Dominion's patriotic organisation operates, it is evident that, a misconception still exists in the minds of some of the New Zealand service personnel overseas. This is undoubtedly due. to the use. that Ls made of well-known national welfare institutions as expending and. distributing agents. These institutions have been permitted- throughout to make known their close and important association with the woHc by using their special insignia or badges and also other means. Tliey have done a splendid, job and the National Patriotic Fund Board now, as at the beginning of operations feels that they should have this privilege, says a statement issued by the Board. At the. same time, this system has led to some members of the forces believing that the patriotic cfTort is being financed by these organisations, whereas the actual position is that their Avar work among the forces is financed from 'the patriotic .funds. Various means, have been adopted, the statement continues, to make the true position more widely known, but it is evident, that the steps taken in tlie past have not been completely successful. With a

view to bringing the facts more directly to the attention of the men overseas the Board has had a leaflet 1 printed, a copy of which is to be included in each unaddressed parcel sent overseas in future through the patriotic organisations.. "When you receive comforts in hospitals from the Red Cross Society these are part of the patriotic effort," the message isays in part. "Remember when you enter the Y.M.C.A., Church Army, Salvation Army and Catholic institutes that these are built, furnished and maintained from patriotic funds." The leaflet also points out that it has never been intended, that patriotic funds are for the jjuri3o.se of sup-

plying individual com (oris for the New Zealand forccs overseas, the policy being to supply collective comforts in the form of recreation huts, bands', clubs, 'cinemas, mobile canteens, subsidies to regimental funds, sports gear, libraries, writing materials and similar amenities. It is also explained that through transport and other difficulties the threemonthly distribution of gift parcels vannot always be arranged, although they are packed quarterly and every endeavour is made to despatch them regularly. The Board's .main items of expenditure are given briefly, including the grants made to the expending agents. "It. is of importance to the expending agents that the position should be clearly understood," the Board's statement concludes, "for if through misunderstanding ther<> should be a falling oil' in patriotic contributions the scope of their splendid work for the services would be affected."