PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 November 1939, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

PROVISIONS OF EMERGENCY REGULATIONS CONTROL AND DIRECTION OF COMMUNITY'S EFFORI. NATIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN BROADCASTS. “It is now six weeks since tne Patriotic Purposes Emergency Regulations were gazetted providing for the control and direction of the patriotic effort of the community," stated Mr T. Jordan, Mayor of Masterton, and chairman of the National Patriotic Council in a broadcast speech delivered last night. “Quite naturally most of us resent regulations of any kind and these particular regulations have not escaped comment. Nearly all of the criticism to which expression has been given arises from misunderstand and want of knowledge. In the light of our experience during the last war, when there were about 600 different war funds, and more than 1000 collecting agencies, some measure of control and direction was obviously necessary if we were to secure the maximum benefit from the generous patriotic impulse of the people for the men whom it was intended to benefit. If the regulations are carefully examined it will be found that they have been drawn to a definite plan to prevent waste and overlapping, and I believe that if they are given a generous and sympathetic interpretation we shall be able to build up a very efficient system of administration of our patriotic funds. They provide for the establishment of a national fund, controlled entirely by a National Board of Trustees presided over by his Excellency, the GovernorGeneral. The board has already met and the long experience of its members -with finance, war funds and soldiers generally should inspire confidence throughout. New Zealand. There are also 11 provincial funds controlled entirely by provincial councils consisting of representatives of local bodies and organisations within the respective provinces.

PROTECTION OF PUBLIC. “For the protection of the public and of the funds, it was recognised freely that there was need for the proper appointment of the persons and societies that were to act as collectors for the several funds and this is clearly set out. The collectors for the national funds are appointed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, and in this connection it is not out of place to point out that a National Advisory Council has been set up by the Minister under the regulations, the function of which is to advise the Minister, the Trust Board and the provincial councils on all matters affecting the administration of the regulations so as to secure the maximum efficiency. This council has already entered upon its duties, has appointed committees for specified purposes and has made representations to the Minister. May I say in all sincerity, as chairman of tlie council, that I believe this body is performing an important public service and will make its influence felt. The sole aim of its members is to secure the greatest possible advantage to the fighting men from the patriotic efforts of the people. It falls to the Minister also to notify in the Gazette from time to time, as the changing circumstances warrant, the approved patriotic purposes for which money and goods may bo collected. In this ho will doubtless be guided by the advice of the National Council. The one approved patriotic purpose so- far gazetted is the supply of comforts, conveniences and special equipment to members of the forces.

POWER OF EXEMPTION. ‘'There is another important power vested in the Minister, and that is the power to exempt any patriotic purpose from being subject to the conditions set out in the regulations. He has already exercised this power to grant exemption covering the raising of money for local presentations to soldiers and the holding of farewell functions in their honour. The Minister has power to delegate this authority, but it is felt that in the interests of uniformity any such delegation should be very sparingly used. In the case of the provincial funds, the power to appoint the authorised collectors is vested in the Provincial Council, but the latter has very wide powers of delegation so that ultimately the chairman of the local authority will be found in most cases, and very properly too, deciding who is to collect for the fund in his particular area. The Provincial Council alone will decide how its fund is to be spent, but it has powers of delegation in this respect too. and may appoint any particular person or group of persons to be its agent for spending provincial moneys. It has also the sole power to specify the approved patriotic purposes for which moneys and goods are to bo collected and distributed, and may set up a separate account within the fund for any such purpose. As a further safeguard all the funds are subject to strict audit. CONFIDENCE IN APPEAL. “I hope that what I have said may help to clear away the last traces of misunderstanding as to the control and administration of the patriotic funds, and you may rest assured that any moneys contributed by you will be spent in the best interests of the forces. A week ago wo had the privilege of listening to an eloquent appeal by his Excellency the Governor-General on behalf of the funds. I should like very respectfully and very earnestly to second his appeal. 1 believe that we in this country live in the fortunate isles, I and that wo are singularly blessed in the inheritance of orderly freedom ! that has come to us from our fathers. All this is challenged in the present struggle as it has never been challenged before, and our lighting men are answering the call. They have not stayed to count the cost, but have offered themselves, and all their hopes

for the defence of their country and 1 ; its just cause. e “We may not all be able to follow 11 their example in this. but. we can at " least devote ourselves, in our own interests and in theirs, to their support and encouragement, and thus make our defence united and universal. On behalf of the forces I appeal to all citizens to make common cause in this patriotic effort, and to give in generous w measure to the funds. Forget all about boards and councils, if you will, but c ' (l keep always in your minds the picture ( e of the soldier, his responsibilities, his w sufferings and his sacrifice, and I am ]f confident that New Zcland will not pi fail him.” if