PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1940, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Without necessarily agreeing with the particular criticisms made at a meeting of the Taranaki Pafriotic Council yesterday iri regard to the allocation of funds by the Nalional Patriotic Council there will be general support in Taranaki for the proposal that each provincial council should have direct representation in the national organisation. No one desires to see the national council made unweildy. At the same time it is but fair that "he who pays the piper should call the tune," or at least have some say in the calling. The delays inherent to the establishment of a national patriotic system flexible enough toi enable local enthusiasm to be kindled but strong enough to prevent misuse and duplication of effort ■ had at first rather a chilling effect upon the generosity of the public. That stage has passed. The response made to the national appeal for funds has shown the willingness of the public to accept wise direction provided local enterprise has liberty of action and local gifts can be allocated for the benefit of local men. The fear was that control of collected funds by a central authority would lead to bureaueracy, and that local wishes and opinions would be ignored. Those who have studied the work of the National Patriotic Council are convinced that it has no desire to act in an autocratic manner. It is single-minded in its desire to make the best use of the funds available and to aid patriotic movements in any part of the Dominion. But there is no better way of removing fears of bureaueracy, whether justified or not, than to grant all provincial councils direct representation on the national organisation. It is to be hoped that the Taranaki council's suggestion in that direction will receive endorsement by the Minister concerned.