AN AIRCRAFT FUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24400, 11 September 1940, Page 6

AN AIRCRAFT FUND

A very strong desire has been expressed in Otago that the citizens of this portion of the Dominion should be afforded an opportunity of participating in the gift of war planes to the British Government as is planned in other parts of New Zealand. Proposals to manifest appreciation of the gallant services that are being rendered by members of the Royal Air Force, in which this Dominion is represented by a large number of her sons, through the subscription of funds that will be devoted to the purchase of planes of the fighter and bomber types have been warmly supported in various districts, notably in Auckland, Wellington and Southland. There can be no British subject anywhere in the Empire who is not deeply moved by the reports of the heroism of the force which is bearing the brunt of the warfare, offensive and defensive, that is being waged at the present time on the Continent of Europe and over the British Isles. An evidence of this is afforded in the gifts of money that are pouring into Great Britain from dominions, colonies and dependencies for application to the strengthening of the air arm of the Empire. A feeling unquestionably exists among Otago people that it is unfortunate that they are in effect being precluded from expressing, in the way they would wish, their admiration of the services of the Air Force. Their support is, however, at the present time being sought for a patriotic movement of great importance—that which is directed, by means of a Queen Carnival, to raise, funds which shall be applied after the war to the rehabilitation in civil life of the men from this provincial district who are already serving, and will serve, their Empire in the military forces, and it would plainly be a mistake to make a simultaneous appeal to the public for two patriotic objects, each of them in the highest degree praiseworthy. The Government has announced that it is prepared to sanction the use of £ 100,000 for the purpose of presenting war planes from the Dominion to the Royal Air Force, but has stated that ■the fund with the object of making ihis gift must be closed on September 30. As the Queen Carnival Will riot be terminated until after this date, it might be supposed that this would effectively prevent Otago from participation in the gift. This, tfoWever, it is satisfactory to learn, will not actually be the case. The Mayor has been in communication with the Government on the subject, and we are authorised by the Prime Minister to state that a contribution of £II,OOO, the estimated cost of a war plane, will be accepted from Otago on the understanding that the required sum will be raised after the Queen Carnival effort,has been concluded.' We have little doubt that the public of Otago will welcome the opportunity that will then be offered to it to make/ the gesture of appreciation that will be expressed in the subscription of this sum.