NOT GOVERNMENT’S GIFT

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 4

NOT GOVERNMENT’S GIFT

FIGHTER PLANES GIVEN BY PEOPLE A reminder that the sum of £lOO,OOO which had been made available by the New Zealand ' Government for the purchase of fighter aeroplanes was the gift of the people of New Zealand was given by Mr G. A. Hamilton, of Lumsden, at the final meeting of the Southland Fighter Aeroplane Committee last night. Mr Hamilton said that the Government had sanctioned the gift of £lOO,000 for the purchase of aeroplanes, but to the people of England it might appear that the Government had made the gift. “That is incorrect,” he said. “It is not a gift from the Government, but a gift from the citizens of New Zealand in appreciation of what the people at Home are doing for us in the war effort. I think the special feature of the gift of planes and the end in view should be emphasized,” he added. Mr R. R. Binney, the secretary of the committee, explained that the Government had made it clear that the sum of £lOO,OOO would be made available in England for the purchase of gift aeroplanes presented to the British Government by the people of New Zealand. s, Mr D. Harris said he did not think there would be any misunderstanding about the position. He remarked that when Southland’s contribution was acknowledged by the 8.8. C. it was made clear that the Government was making the money available for machines subscribed for by the people of New Zealand.