PATRIOTIC FUND

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 191, 11 May 1944, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FUND

Wellington Combined Appeal “We have been reading with everincreasing expectancy ajjout the growing preparations for the invasion of Europe,” said; Sir James Elliott, chairman of the Wellington Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, in an address last night, in which he called on citizens to support the £BB,OOO patriotic appeal. “The roar of the planes continues throughout the day, and as the English east coaster goes to bed he is lulled to sleep by the continuous noise of these victory squadrons. There are men in these machines, many of them New Zealanders, many of them from Wellington. Lower Hutt, Petone and the suburbs. Some of these machines struggle home damaged, some of the machines don’t come home, some of the men are wounded, some of the men don’t come home. “After four years of war the biggest battle is still, ahead: In the critical days before us our New Zealand men will need all the help we at home can give them. They are giving and will continue to give everything, even their lives. We at home are asked to give them comforts. It is not enough that we should merely draw a small coin from our pockets to salve our conscience. “Our debt to these men can never be repaid in full, but we can all do something worth while to compensate our lighting men for the trials they undergo. I appeal to every citizen of Wellington, Petone, Lower Hutt and the suburbs to support to the limit of their capacity the combined patriotic appeal now beginning in Wellington. I am aware that in the past confused ideas have existed about patriotic funds, but I am certain that any misunderstandings have now been clarified. This year the issues are clearly defined. This combined patriotic appeal .is so called because it represents One appeal, and One Only, by the Wellington Metropolitan Patriotic Committee on behalf of all those bodies and organizations which expend funds on comforts for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and merchant seamen. The appeal will continue till we reach our local objective of £BB,OOO. If everyone acts with a true appreciation of rue necessity for urgent and wholehearted giving Wellington will set an example for the rest of the Dominion, and we should obtain our quota in a short time. “I have in front of me a booklet entitled ‘Can We Forget Them.’ It illustrates the use to which the funds are put. It states in one place, ‘The main work of the National Patriotic Fund Board is carried out by the following expending agents: The Joint Council of the Order of St. John and N.Z. Red Cross Society, Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army, Church Army, Catholic War Services Fund Board, N.Z. Navy League War Council, War Library .Service, Air Force Relations, Overseas Seamen’s Gift Committee. And here is the really important point—every penny spent by these agents on war work comes from the patriotic funds. '“Never before has any appeal been clearer. It is obvious that when the storm breaks over western Europe our boys will be there; our sailors will be there, and the resources of all expending agents of patriotic funds will be strained to the limit if they are to provide these men with comforts. All collecting will be done by accredited representatives,” Sir James concluded, “but you can assist these' voluntary workers by sending a substantial subscription to the hon. secretary. Wellington Patriotic Committee. Box 1534, Wellington.”