PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24422, 7 October 1940, Page 11

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

TO THE EDITOR

Sir.—Mr James J. Marlow’s letter in the Daily Times of October 1, under the above heading, confirms what I stated to have been recommended by the No. 2 Committee of the National Patriotic Fund Board and the Provincial Patriotic Councils’ conference in Wellington in May last. I also stated that the recommendations were on the right lines, and would be endorsed by each and every ex-soldier. I did not know, however, that the recommendation had been adopted by the conference, and that every Patriotic Council in New Zealand is under obligation to follow the procedure on the lines laid down by that No. 2 Committee. I have faith in Mr Marlow’s statement. But. seeing that the conference was held last May. why has the Otago Patriotic Council not given wide publicity to that recommendation, and also asked for nominations for the various local committees as outlined in Mr Marlow’s letter? District committees would surely have a better knowledge of the needs of applicants for relief from their own districts that a committee in Dunedin, and they should be supplied with sufficient funds for the relief of immediate need and full authority to work on those funds. The 1914-18 Otago Patriotic Association has no local committees for the distribution of funds or consideration of cases for relief, and applicants for relief must forward their applications direct to Dunedin. Hence the carping criticism. We are afraid that the same thing will happen again. Broadcast the good news, and thereby loosen up the purse strings.—l am. etc., October 3. South Otago.