PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2564, 11 September 1915, Page 12

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Sir, —In connection with the above I think tho Government should' step in and protect tho donors from having the money subscribed by them needlessly wasted. It seems now that evory little town in tfhich an honorary secretary is looated is to bo put on a stipendiary footing; I can mention a case where the late honorary secretary is now. a paid servant.. In a. large centre such ag Masterton, one can not object, but in the smaller places it is absurd to pay a man, when, I feel sure, others would tako the position as an honorary one, and be proud_ of it, at that. Then again, the Wairarapa centre has voted £1000 to erect a hall at Tauherinikau. Is this,. Sir, within the scope of the meaning of a relief fund? It seems to me that the donors havo been so. liberal that tho oxecutive do not know how to get rid of the money. I with others, gavo my "little bit," but it was not intended to build social halls with, nor pay a few favoured individuals. Again, as regards a hall at Tauherinikau, is the committee aware that outsiders are endeavouring to get permission to ercct a hall or halls, and will do so if permission is granted? In a very short time all the money .voluntarily subscribed for the Belgian and other relief funds will be required for more urgent purposes than erecting social halls. I trust tho Government will step in with auditors and block the waste of tiheso several funds. Building social halls for men who have not yet smelt powder cannot, by any stretch of tho imagination, be called relief work. —I am, etc., LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.