PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1788, 12 February 1918, Page 4

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT,

The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. G. W. Russell) has declined to sanction the formation of another patriotic society in Palmerston North. Speaking at a meeting held in Palmerston last week, in 'connection with the efforts of the Manawatu Patriotic Society, Mr Russell is reported by the Evening Standard to have said-“I don’t know whether you know it, but you will be surprised to hear that the approval which has been asked for the Palmerston Loyal, Citizens’ Association is not the approval of the establishment of a society for the benefit of New Zealand soldiers at all.” The Minister proceeded to read from their application, which said: “So far we have not raised any moneys for war funds. The policy of the association is not to hoard money, but to apply whatever money may be raised for the specific purposes it was so raised —e.g., money raised for relief in the Halidistress in Great Britain. Permits are to be asked that the whole of the moneys raised, less incidental expenses, shall be sent to the Minister for Internal Affairs, to be devoted for the purpose it was raised,” Mr Russell added: “The position I take up is that it is not necessary to establish a separate soci-; ety, for the reason that the funds for outside objects and districts, if desired to be raised by newspapers or the Mayor, can be done by application to me for a permit. The Mayor can- wire me, and within an hour of'receipt of the application a telegram will be sent authorising it.” Concluding, Mr Russell said that all proposals for 1 the establishment of societies were carefully scrutinised, and had the proposal sent in been for the establishment of one on clear lines for the soldiers and their dependents, outside of the parent society, it would have been considered, but when the suggestion is to take the title of the ‘Palmerston North Citizens’ Loyal Association’ —(laughter)—with no distinct proposals beyond raising funds apparently for outside of New Zealand, and which the society does not wish to handle, his answer as Minister was that there was no need for a second society on these lines.”