THE PATRIOTIC FUND

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2276, 9 October 1914, Page 6

THE PATRIOTIC FUND

MORE GENEROUS OFFERS i COOK ISLANDERS' LOYALTY READY WITH MEN & MONEY After the outbreak of the war tho Prime Minister made a practice of reading in the House a list of the donations to the Empiiro Defenco Fund received by him from day to day,: but recently he has discontinued the reading of these lists. Last night, however, lie read a letter covering a donation from an unexpected quarter. "For some little time past," said Mr. Massey, "I haven't thought it necessary to read the list of donations to the Empire Defence Fund, but I have received one to-night which is unique. It comes by way of a communication in the first instance to tho Hon. Dr. Pomare, Minister in Charge of the Cook and other Islands. I will read the letter which he has received from Mr. H. Sornwail, Resident Commissioner of tho Island-.of Niue:

" 1 have the honour to transmit to you herewith five money orders for £164 14s. od., drawn in favour of the Empiro Defenco Fund, Wellington. Of tho total amount, winch 1 is given unconditionally, £32 19s. 3d. was given by tho European residents of Niue, and £1.31105. 2d. was donated by the natives of Niue. The natives also send a letter, and ' I have attached a translation of it. . '• 'I am directed to request that ' ! you will forward tho money to the proper quarter, and I am requested by the natives to say that they are ea"-er to render further assistance and oiler the services of 200 ablebodied young natives for service anywhere they may be required. "'I would add that this latter . offer is made in the best possible spirit, but it is- only fair to say tliattho natives could not possibly provide or pay for the equipment, and, further, they do not understand any language but their own. "The Island of Niue," said Mr. MaSsey, "is a small island with a small population, and I understand the people are not particularly weU off as far as this world's goods are concerned, but it is satisfactory to know that the people of Niue, like the people of many other parts of tho Empire, are prepared to olfor not only money, but also some of their best men to assist the Empire. It is a proof of their loyalty, and a proof of the fact that they appreciate the liberty and justice extended to them within tho bounds of the British EmPI JIr GW. Russell, Acting Leader of the Opposition, expressed appreciation of the generous gifts, especially those from the Natives. ~ , Mr. Massoy read also the letter from the Natives, signed by twelve chiefs. Following' is the text of- the translo-. tion: —;

"To King George V, all thoso in I authority, and the brave men who °"I am the Island of Niue, a.small child that stands up .to help the Kingdom of Georgo V. There are two portions wo are ottering: W money; (2) men." ■ . ■ ' The Hon. R. M'Keuzie asked whether the Government would accept tho. services of tho Natives. In his opinion they ought to be accepted. Mr. Massey said that this was a matter for the Imperial authorities, and all he could do was to communicate the offer to the Imperial authorities. This he would have much pleasure in doing.

ANOTHER GENEROUS OFFER. Tlie Prime Minister also read another letter, which had just been handed to him. The writer, he explained, did not wish has name to be mentioned. Mr. Massey read tho following quotation from the letter.— - , ■ "I will shortly be finishing contract No. 15, on the." Westport-Inangahua railway. I anticipate that I shall make a profit of £400 on the contract, and if you think it is of any use to you I will leave the money in your hands until the war is over. ... . Should you accept it I don't need any interest." Mr. Russell: I hope he will get tho next contract. Mr. Massey: 1 hope lie will,'and_ I hope he will niako another £400 on it. (Hear, hear.) PRIME MINISTER'S LIST. The Prime Minister has received the following further donations to the Empire Defence Fund:—' £ s. d. Huntly;. Patriotic Fund (6th -. instalment) ...: 814 8 Reefton Patriotio Fund (7th instalment) > 10 0 0 Opotiki Patriotio Fund (3rd instalment) ...; 200 0,0 MAYOR'S PATRIOTIC FUND. £ s. d. Amount previously af knowledged ....:..• 2572 18 7 Wellington City Council > Staff Club (for the purchase of one horse and full equipment) 40 0 0 £2612 13 7 "THE, DOMINION" LISTS. The following are the donations to The Dominion's War Fund lists to date:— WAR FUND. £ 6. d. Amount previously acknowledged 1969 3 9 LOCAL RELIEF FUND. Contributions to the fund for the relief of local'cases of distress are:— £ 6/ d. Amount previously acknowledged 323 7 8 BELGIAN RELIEF FUND. Contributions to' fund for' the relief of the Bolgians in distress will subsequently be forwarded to the au> thorities in Belgium for distribution. £ s. d; Amount previously acknowledged ' 1884 16 5 Mrs. J. S. Jameson ......... 010 0 Total ......... .'. ;. 1885 6 6 BLANKET FUND. Contributions to tho Blanket Fund in aid of the distressed, in England, France, and Belgium, are:— £ s. d. Amount previously acknowledged 94 5 0 Third and Fourth Standards,Johnsonville School 10 0 "G.Q." 10 0 Total ....'' 96 5 0 Liout.-Colonel A. M. Myers, Officer Commanding the Motor Reserve, re* ports that Messrs. J. B. Clarksou and Co., Ltd., have forwarded to the Defence authorities one Douglas motorcycle, as a gift to the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force. For the Red Cross Fund the Wellington Working Men's Club has collected £52 19s. 3d. for the Patriotic Fund £150 (donation), and for the Huntly Relief Fund £34, making an aggregate total of close on £250. In addition to cash contributions, the club has made donations of cases of books from its '■{brary department.