Hokitika Guardian & Evening star WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21, 1917 PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening star WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21, 1917 PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

It will have been aeen from iha proceedings reported at the recent meeting of thß local Patriotic Society that the arrangements under which the executive is working, namely as an Advisory Committee for Westland, to the National War Funds Council, is. working satisfactorily. Tho Minister has congratulated the local Society on its work, while the War Funds Council has adopted all recommendations from the local executive, and continues to supply promptly as required, the funds necessary to carry on patriotic relief. This is very pleasing and is confirmation of what was expected when the important step was taken of placing the looal funds under the National war funds soheme. In taking this step the people here safeguarded the fnture. There was of course ample funds in hand for immediate requirements, but it was conceivable that after the war, with men coming back in large numbers that the funds might easily be over strained, When the glamour and strain of the war has gone by it will not be an easy matter jto raise sums voluntarily for patriotic work, and the local fnnda being depleted a Very nn. fair position might arise. It was this possible contingency which prompted the Government to inaugurate f a national scheme, but bo far Westland and Buller are the only districts in the Dominion to join the scheme by agreeing to pool their funds. In many of tha other centres very large sums were collected, and the enthusiastic folk who had the work in hand wanted also the pleasure of distributing the money. In some cases they appear to be doing this very freely. Judging by some of the balance sheets and statements of accounts, the expenditure has been going ahead at such a rate as to Beriously deplete the funds, and yet not a tithe of the men for whom the money has been raised, have returned. This lavish expenditure is not to the credit of the administration, and shows how essential it was for a national scheme to take shape. There was a Dominion movement towards such an end, and it is rather remarkable that the two provinces where the strongest opposition came from, appear to be the districts where the funds are being depleted the quickest. Waßtlnnd has a good solid backing in beiog so olosely identified with the rational movement, and this will become more marked as time goes od. While this is so far satisfactory the position does not relieve the public of the obligation to subscribe as regularly as possible to the patriotic funds. All the money that cau be raised hare, and ranch more in addition, will ba required to meet the charges which will hare to be met, and in loyalty to those who are serving the duty of

contributing to so worthy an object should be a pleasure to discharge.