PATRIOTIC FUND

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 189, 7 May 1940, Page 9

PATRIOTIC FUND

Valuable Assistance From Sports Bodies

GOLFERS PLAY PART

In addition to the enlistment from among their members for military service, sports bodies are giving valuable assistance to the National. Patriotic Eund Board in raising funds for the benefit of the fighting forces, and in the provision of equipment for recreation purposes. Speakers at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, which is one of the bodies helping to do something for the welfare of New Zealand’s troops, showed that they are keenly alive to the importance of doing everything possible to assist in the war effort. But the New Zealand Rugby Union is by no means alone in this attitude. Other sports organizations are also at work in the interests of the fighting forces, and if the movement grows, as probably it will, the total contribution from this source will be considerable. The council of the New Zealand Golf Association was one sports association that got off the mark early in assisting tiie National Patriotic Fund. In February it circularized clubs suggesting that special men’s competitions be held for the benefit of the National Patriotic Fund and that the proceeds from these be subsidized by the association. Clubs were asked to signify their willingness to hold a competition, and their approval of the association’s subsidy, the idea-in this connexion being a subsidy of £1 in respect of clubs with up to 50 memmembers, £2 with 51 to 100 members, and £3 when the male membership is more than 100. With 327 clubs affiliated to the associ-. ation it was evident that with anything like reasonable support, the scheme should be very successful. • Some of the clubs already have held their special competitions, and the results on the financial side are very encouraging. In fact, Mr. G. O. Sutton, secretary of the New Zealand Golf Association, declared yesterday afternoon that there was no doubt that the scheme would be successful. Though the number of clubs which had held competitions so far did not represent a big proportion of the total, he said, the average results from them had been very good, and he was sure that all clubs would respond. As indicative of what has been achieved so far is the fine effort by the Rangimarie Club, Wellington, recently in raising nearly £45 in a one-day tournament. Another club took just over £2l, also in a one-day competition. There is said to be no lack of evidence that sports bodies and their members are doing their part in the provision of manpower and also funds for the promotion of the troops’ wellbeing .while they are on, service, the latter being an avenue of assistance which the Prime Minister and others have pointed out is open to all, and to which all are asked to give what they can.