RED CROSS FUNDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20078, 26 October 1939, Page 14

RED CROSS FUNDS

DENIAL OF RUMOURS CONTROL BY STATE PATRIOTIC MONEYS MINI STE R’ S ST AIT. M ENT (IVr Prf'.ss Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. An emphatic denial that the Government is taking over the Red Cross organisation and funds in New Zealand was given by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, in an interview when a rumour to that effect was referred to him.

The Minister said there was absolutely nothing in the allegation, lie added that the Red Cross Society was a permanent body which had existed for years and which would continue to exist long after tne present war. In so far as it was administering in conjunction with the Order of St. John a large war fund raised during the last war for patriotic purposes, the emergency regulations had no application to it, andthat fund is still governed by the War Funds Act. 1915.

With regard to its activities in the present war. the society was, like every other body in New Zealand, subject to the regulations, and he had not the slightest doubt that full use would be made of the magnificent organisation of this and other bodies.

‘•This gives me the opportunity." Mr. Parry continued, “of giving an emphatic denial to the allegations that the Government is taking charge of patriotic funds. The NaMonal Patriotic Fund Board and provincial patriotic councils are entirely autonomous bodies, each owning and controlling its own fund.” The inaugural meeting of the national patriotic council set up under the Patriotic Purposes Emergency Regulations in connection wi'lt the administration of patriotic funds, was held to-day.