PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 251, 20 September 1940, Page 8

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

VICE-REGAL APPEAL. .

HELP FOR LONDONERS

AA'ELLINGTON, Sept. 20. 'The Governor-General (Lord Galway) last night launched an appeal for further funds for the National Patriotic Fund, for the relief of Londoners, comforts for the Expeditionary Force, and rehabilitation of soldiers. The goal is stated to bo £1,000,000. “History has shown,” His Excellency said, “that when nations are at war, the peoples of the combatant countries are called upon to make personal sacrifice. Already the people of New Zealand have made a magnificent response to the appeal for funds by the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society for the sick, wounded and distressed, also to the appeal for comforts for troops-and to that for clothing by the Lady Galway Guild. But I feel that a great deal more will be required before hostilities end.

“The recent premeditated attacks on Buckingham Palace and on the lives of our beloved Sovereign and the Queen leave no doubt in our minds as to the intention of the enemy. One of the first victories he hopes to achieve is to drive the King and the Court from London. The Germans failed to achieve their object. They will not drive the King from London so long as his presence is needed there. A\ 7 ith such a King and' Queen to inspire ns we will face every danger and every hardship to win through. EXTENT OF APPEAL.

“This evening I am appealing to the people of New Zealand, not only to make good the £IOO,OOO recently sent to London, but also to make a further contribution for the comfort and WellDoing of the Dominion’s sons in the firing line. “Letters from some men of the hirst, Echelon in Egypt indicate that they had received very little, if any, comforts from patriotic funds. AVfien the First Echelon left, comforts were put j on board the transports for the benefit of the men during the voyage, and £6735 in New Zealand, currency for lit men and £6250 tor sick and wounded men, was remitted to Egypt. Gift parcels made up for the First Echelon in response to the board’s appeal were sent in the ships which conveyed the Second Echelon, together with large supplies of apples and cigarettes, on the understanding that the Second Echelon was also going to Egypt lhc Second Echelon went to England, and consequently the gilts were not received by the First Echelon. PARCELS FOR TROOPS. “In these circumstances it was decided to arrange for tho parcels to be distributed among the Second Echelon in England, and a fresh supply of parcels to be sent to the First Echelon at the earliest possible date. Since that time it has been possible. dispatch 866 cases of comforts to the hirst Echelon. The consignment comprised about 7200 gift parcels, together with 66 cases of truit cake, which generous AA’ellington benefactors had given to the board. Cables have since been received that the second supply of comforts has now reached Egypt. “At present the only organisation which may appeal for funds is the local patriotic committee of your town or province, as it has been arranged that when the National Patriotic r und Board requires more money for its activities, such money will be provided from tho provincial tunds. “In the minds of some people rehabilitation’ relates only to matters which do not require consideration till the end of hostilities. This is not quite correct, as under the heading or re habilitation’ provision will be made tor the dependants of members of the fighting services. Even now demands are being made on the patriotic funds for this purpose. It is the duty of the Government to care for the repatriation of the men, but no Government, however favourably disposed it may feel, can legislate for all requirements, and the patriotic funds will meet an urgent need to fill the gap between the tune of a man s breakdown in health and of his being accepted bv one of the schemes to be provided -by the Government for his welfare,” said Lord Galway.