PATRIOTIC FUND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 130, 2 May 1940, Page 10

PATRIOTIC FUND

APPEAL FOR SUPPORT. R.S.A. DELEGATES ADDRESSED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 1. The annual conference of the R.S.A. was opened at the Centennial Exhibition to-day. Addressing the conference, Lord Galway asked for the support of the returned men in raising funds for patriotic purposes. The Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), himself a returned soldier, asked them to do everything to stimulate recruiting. Mr Robb (president of the N.S.W. branch of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia) pointed out how the association could help the men now serving a.nd prepare tiie way for their reabsorption into civil life when the war was over.

Hon. W. Perry welcomed the above three speakers, also Mr E. V. Raymont (federal secretary of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia). Lord Galway mentioned the work of the Patriotic Board, reiterating that it had nothing to do with politics and was completely independent in its activities, but was'working in sympathy and friendship with the Government. It was felt that the Dominion’s war effort should be made as practical as possible. His Excellency asked the delegates to tell their branches that the board could not carry on without generous contributions to the fund. The money raised would be used for war purposes only, and when the war was over the money in hand would be used for those who had served their country. Mr Hislop maid New Zealand could not “go easy” on the war effort because the enemy would go on relentlessly. No New Zealander would want to shelter behind others. In thanking the Mayor, Mr Perry mentioned that the disabled soldiers’ stall at the Exhibition was going to show a handsome profit.