PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 8

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

By Telegraph—Press Association.

NOTHING "DEAD MONEY" MANY ESSENTIAL NEEDS

Wellington, Last Night. Opening a conference of secretaries of provincial patriotic councils, the Governor-General, Lord Galway, referred particularly to the part to be played by the provincial councils in assisting in the rehabilitation of men of the forces on their discharge and the funds that would be required for this purpose, which is one of the main matters to be discussed. Referring to the public response to appeals for funds, he said that, in particular, the way the sick, wounded and distress fund appeal had been supported had exceeded the early anticipations of the most sanguine. There had been a very good response to the appeals for funds to provide comforts for the troops and that had enabled a great deal to be done for the echelons as they went overseas. There were some people, however, who thought the National Patriotic Fund Board was amassing vast sums of money but he could assure them that that was not the case. In addition to providing comforts, money had been used to build recreation huts at the camps and improve generally the amenities available at the camps. Recreation at Waiouru. He said, too, that as the camp at Waiouru was a long way from any centre, it would be absolutely essential to provide recreational facilities from the funds for that camp. That was an instance of the many calls on the funds. The large amount raised by the Order of St. John and the Red Cross Society was not, as some contended, dead money. It would all be utilised. As time went on, he said, and sick and wounded began to return, it would be essential for the patriotic and Red Cross organisations to work in very close harmony. The Red Cross was a little apt in the provinces to get out of touch with the centre and, he thought, with the provincial patriotic council of the district. He thought the matter should be looked at from the bigger point of view and a close working relationship established. He referred to the work done by the Lady Galway Patriotic Fund in collecting, sorting and packing clothing for refugees and homeless people abroad and expressed the hope that the delegates to the conference would be able to visit the guild's headquarters at Goverament House and see the work being done there by an admirable band of women.