Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, 10th SEPTEMBER. PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, 10th SEPTEMBER. PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

I hat Now Zealand continues to do well in all activities conducive to helping to winning the war is specially exemplified by the report from the Minister of Internal Affairs dealing with patriotic war funds. A magnificent record and one of which tho country might he justifiably proud.” These words were used by the Hon. CL W. iliiy.se.il, in presenting to the House of Representatives a paper showing the •' mounts collected, disbursed, and held pi trtiotic societies in New Zealanl. Tho collections and donations (including interest), and the balance in hand at -March 31st, 1917, for the various provincial districts are given os follows :

Collections. and donations. Auckland £600,825 Hawkes Bay 166,261 Tkranaki 79,439 Wellington 037,644 Marlborough 44,726 kelson 47,370 Westland 26,274 Canterbury 486.728 Otago 805,829 Southland 89.086 TXnfunet MKrietjej; 25,715 Totals 2.500,188 The expenditure figures show tent £113,726, has been spent in giving direct relief to soldiers and their dependents, £76,998 on equipment, farewells and- presentations, £292,680 on comforts for troops, and Bed Cross, Including St. John Ambulance, Lady

Liverpool, and Victoria (Lc&gucr., £318,785 on Belgian Relief, £76,883 on other Allies, £105,257 on Navy relief, £50,074 on administrative expenses. In addition to the amount collected, by the societies, there have been large sums sent in to the Government from private donors nnd from the result of special collections, so that the actual cash collections recorded to March 31st. 1917, were as folliws:— £ Collected by Societies 2,509,188 Received by the Department of Internal Affairs for transmission abroad, hospital ships, Now Zealand sick nnd wounded, and other special purposes (over and above amounts forwarded by Patriotic Societies) 240.319 Given at the outbreak of the war to the New Zealand Government towards war expenses and" special objects 159,137 Given to the National 'War Funds Council 15,330 Dominion Schools’ contribution to Belgian Children's Fund 18,364

Total amount of moneys collected £2,942,338 Value of contributions of goods, stock, produce, " etc., of which the Department of Internal Affairs has been notified 298,335 Government contribution and subsidy to Belgian Relief 228,145

Total contribution in money and goods notified to the Department £3,468,818 Moneys and goods contributed by private individuals or institutions, nnd forwarded direct aro not ascertainable. The contribution per head of population as worked out by a member of the House, is as follows: —•

£ s. d. Hawke’s Bay 3 4 8 Wellington 2 19 2 Marlborough 2 14 11 Canterbury 2 14 9 Otago 2 6 4 Auckland 2 1 11 Westland 1 12 5 Southland 1 10 1 Taranaki 19 7 Nelson 10 8

The foregoing figures in regard to the Patriotic funds show that Westland

province has done well financially in the common purpose of helping to win the war. The table showing the contribution per head is of interest, and it places the district in a not unenviable position. It has to be born in

mind that the district would not derive the benefit of tho large contributions which fell to the top of the main centres, being donations from large firms, companies or other like institutions, nor has the district hem fitted to any great ‘extent from large donations from the wealthy. The contributions here were derived uniformly over tho entire population, and to find Westland runner-up to Canterbury, Otago and Auckland, and ahead of Southland, Taranakij and Nelson is certainly a very creditable position. Of the two millions and a. half collected by the provinces, about a million remains unspent, and these funds are now being used largely for the soldiers and their dependents. The Westland County district does not range under this million credit, for here tho wise course has been taken of throwing in our lot with the National War Funds Council. This latter organisation created by Parliament will he maintained by Parliament and this immediate district wil] continue to benefit from th> well founded source. It is a matter for satisfaction that this is so ensuring that for quite an indefinite period our soldiers and their dependants will have the right to look for such measure of financial help as may be necessary to assist them in time of need.

ovit local Borough Council with its bylaws recalls the story of tho littlo hoy and a certain brand of soap. Tho Councillors wore not happy till they got tho bye-laws but having got them was there ever a more unliappy family ? Tho bye-laws are in danger of breaking up tho normal decorum which marks tho deliberations of tho paternal body. They appear to have been a source of trouble since their inception. Whether they were made in too much of a hurry after all or whether they lacked sufficient perusal, tho fact is they have been found to pincli in unexpected places, and pain results. Nothing is more inflammable than benzine, and tho bylaws touching this commodity created quite a mild display of fireworks on Friday night. Tho Council will find its difficulties growing more acuto if they attempt to discriminate in the administration of those precious by-laws. In an earlier instance the Council suspended quito illegally a section of the by-laws whicli appeared to affect some of its merchant members. Tho incident passed Without feeble protest. Now that citizens are affected and zealous officers seek to carry out the by-laws, some members are os ready as evor to interfere. Its a dangerous practice and one which will bring tho members into disrepute if further persisted in. By-law's are made for the protection of the pul)- ] lie as ft whole, and the Council appoints' its officers to administer its laws for the benefit of the public. A too zealous officer might bo inclined to go to extremes—but better that than that tho public safety should bo seriously ondangored.