EMPIRE DEFENCE FUND

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 694, 15 August 1914, Page 2

EMPIRE DEFENCE FUND

WORK OF ORGANISATION •' - „ PARTICULARS OF REQUIREMENTS ' The following circular has been issued by the Minister of Defence to the various local bodies. It is suggested that meetings be held at the various centres throughout tha district for ths purpose of appointing representatives to receive donations and'forward B'a'aie as directed. Mr Huddlestone, Inspector of Stock at .Te Kuiti, has been appointed to inspect and pass horses'tor the expeditionary force. The horses required for Mounted Rifles must be between the ages of five and eight years, from to 15.2 in height and sound in wind and limb, for Artillery, half to threequarter draughts are required 15.1 to 15.3 in height. No greys, duns or light chestnuts are required. Full particulars of equipment and forage are also given:— "In this time of the Empire's need the.Government calls upon the people of this country to make what sacrifices they can of money and effort to provide for an Expeditionary Force to be sent wherever the Empire calls.

"It is S33en'tial in the interests of the economical management that the money, subscriptions should be properly administered, and the Government has accordingly determined to establish :

—An Empire Defence Fund.—l. Into ttiie fund will be paid all money contributions from local authorities, companies, or individuals, whether for purchase of horses or other material required for the Expeditionary Force. 2. The Empire Defence Fund will-from time to time be supplemented by payments from the Consolidated Fund 3 Contributors are. invited to pay their contributions into any Bank in the Dominion, the. Banks having agreed to remit to the Public . Account free of exchange. Bank recsipis ahould.be sent to tfce Paymaster-General, Wellington, with a list of the subscribers. If the contributor specifies the object for which he makes his donation, then the amount will be credited to a special account, e.g., purchaas of . horaeß, or purchase of material, or purchase of personal equipment for the men (blankets, uniforms, boots, etc.) If io such-indication is given, the Pay-miSter-Goneral .will either credit the contribution to a general account or to ere of the above-mentioned ac ctin-its, as he thinks fit.

B.—Expeditionary Force Equipment-. — The Defence Department will be grur-ful for gifts of horse'?, sad')!ery, forage, food, motor cars, motor bic-else, etc. All Mayors, chairmen of County Councils and Town Boards are requested to kindly take immediate action to call meetings of citizens and to organise fur the collection of money or gifts

- C—The Liverpool F.nd.—Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool 'a organising the women of the country in ordes that they may provide articles required by the members of 'he Expeditionary Force such as Shirts, hold-alls, housewives, socks, etc.—J. Allen, Minister of Defence."