PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3188, 12 September 1917, Page 8

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

PBEVENTION OF ABUSES. Referring to tho shipment of goods and transmission of money to the men at the front the report of the Department of internal affairs states:— Tho generosity of the New Zealand people is undiminished. During the year gift goods to tho value of <£158,-MiS were shipped through the Department. The contribution to relief funds in England amounted to J!337,928, the principal items being: Belgian relief, .£G(i,(i® (exclusive of Government subsidy); British Red Cross, ,£62,203; New Zealand Comforts Fund (formerly New Zealand Red Cross), .£51,1361; other purposes, .£157,427. Tho New Zealand contribution to tho Belgian Relief Fund is per head of the population greater than that of any other country in the world. Tho report goes on to state that tho provision in tho War Legislation Amendment Act of last session requiring the Minister's approval of tt war fund before permits to collect contributions therefor may be issued has proved of considerable'valuo.

Amendments of the regulations under the Act with., a view to reducing the number of returns rendered by societies (both adriiinistering and collecting) is under consideration.

Pointed attention has been ''drawn to various abuses of the practice of attracting the public to entertainments and other gatherings on the plea that a .percentage of- the proceeds will bo given to various patriotic funds. It is absolutely necessary that the Department should have power to prevent any such gatherings beirig held without tho Minister's consent, and regulations are now being drafted,to give the Department the npcessarj power. A further mejns of drawing money from tho public that may easily be abused, and which from its increasing use by various bodies needs regulating, is the practice of appealing for contributions to some specific object that has not in itself any connection with tho war, on the ground that it is to be dedicated as a memorial to fallen soldiers. The Act as it stands gives no power of control by the Minister over these appeals. This lias been noted for attention- when an amendment of the Act is being considered. , :

Many permits havo been issued under the Gaming Amondment Act, 1915, and in a great majority of oases the stringent-" requirements of the Department have been complied with. It lias been found desirable .as a general rulo to limit the area in which tickets may be sold to tho provincial district in which tho raffle originates". Since May, 1916, when holders of licences were first required to furnish returns of receipts and disbursements, 303 licences have been issued. The net receipts from tho raffles total .£31,919.