REHABILITATION FUNDS

Evening Star, Issue 23679, 12 September 1940, Page 8

REHABILITATION FUNDS

WORK OF PROVINCIAL COUNCILS NATIONAL BOARD NOT AMASSING VAST SUMS LORD GALWAY TELLS OF DRAIN ON FUND [Pek United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 12. The Now Zealand Society in New York, of which Mr Ray Johnson is president, has united with the Australian Society to establish an Anssac war relict fund to which donations have been invited, and advice of an intial contribution of 1,000 dollars from this fund to tbo National Patriotic Fund in Now Zealand has been received by Lord Galway. . . Opening the conference of secretaries of Provincial Patriotic Councils, Lord Galway referred particularly to the part to be played by the provincial councils in assisting in the rehabilitation of the men of the forces on their discharge, and the funds that would be required for this purpose, which is one or the main matters to bo discussed. Referring to the public response to appeals for funds, be said that, in particular, 'the way the sick, wounded, and distress fund appeal had been supported exceeded the early anticipations of the most sanguine. There had been a very good response to appeals for funds to provide comforts for the troops, and that had enabled a great deal to be done in the camps and for the echelons as they went overseas. There were some people, however, who thought the National Patriotic Fund Board was amassing vast sums of money, but he could assure them that was not the case. In addition to providing comforts, the money had been used to build recreation huts at camps, and to improve generally the amenities availble at the camps. He said, too, that, as the new camp at Waiouru was a long way from any centre, it would be absolutely essential to provide recreational facilities from the funds for that camp. That was an instance of the many calls on the funds. The large amount raised by the Order of St. John and the Bed Cross Society w’as not, as some contended, dead monev. It would all be utilised. As time went on, and the sick and wounded began to return, it would bo essential for the patriotic and Red Cross organisations to work in very close harmony. The Red Cross was a little apt, in the provinces, to get rather out of touch with the centre, and, ho thought, with the Provincial Patriotic Council of the district. He thought tho matter should be looked at from a bigger point of view, and a close working relationship established. Ho referred to the work done by the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild in collecting, sorting, and packing clothing for refugees and homeless people abroad, and expressed tho hope that the delegates to the conference would be able to visit the guild’s headquarters at Government House, and sec the work being done there by this admirable baud of ladies.