CONTROL OF WAR FUNDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20043, 15 September 1939, Page 6

CONTROL OF WAR FUNDS

RAISING AND SPENDING GOVERNMENT INTENTION (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. It was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, in the House of Representatives last night that provision for the control of raising and expenditure of war funds would be in operation within a week and if necessary would be made restrospective. The mayors of a number of towns, said Mr. Parry, had been ' consulted on the subject, and at a special meeting of the'National Centennial Council in Wellington this week a resolution was passed unanimously recommending national control over the purposes for which war funds weie io be raised, the methods and collec.ing bodies, and also authorities which should expend funds. The Minister suggested that experience in the last war showed a necessity of national control. New Zealand’s contribution per head to the Belgian relief fund was more than twice that of any other country in the world. The weakness in our generosity was mainly a degree of duplication and extravagance in the cost af collection, which must not be allowed to happen again. In 1919 there were no fewer Than 983 separate war funds committees. The Minister suggested that there was not to-day the same urgent need for funds as existed at the beginning of the Great War. “The Government,” he concluded, “sees no need for funds being collected on a huge scale in advance of requirements. It feels that the spirit of those who, it is clear, are so anxious to give will not be discouraged by the exercise of a little restraint, which may save much future embarrassment. “Our people may rest assured that, as and when their generosity is required, it will be requested through properly organised channels.”

At a meeting of Herald staff employees held this week, a decision lo donate one day’s pay to patriotic purposes was recorded, this being an initial effort It was further decided to hold the proceeds for disposal according to the wishes of a genera) meeting to be held later.