PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 November 1939, Page 2

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS

WAYS AND MEANS TO SECURE CO-OPERATION. CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. The eleven provincial patriotic councils, the National Fund Board, and representatives of the National Patriotic Council had under discussion at a conference just concluded ways and means for the co-operation of the various patriotic bodies throughout New Zealand in the making of arrangements for the men overseas and in camp to receive extra comforts necessary to their welfare. The conference decided that the National Fund Board bear, in the meantime the 'responsibility within all camps and stations in New Zealand for the erection, furnishing and maintenance of recreation rooms, including those of the Y.M.C.A., the Salvation Army, and the service huts erected by the Government. It would also provide the messes with some extra furnishings for the increased comfort of the men. The present main duty of the provincial patriotic councils would give them the responsibility within their areas for the entertainment in all camps and stations, and the erection or supply of canteens, social rooms, etc., outside of the camps. In addition, „ provincial patriotic councils would work in conjunction with the physical welfare committees in the sporting activities of their respective provinces and arrange for the supply of sports gear. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon W. E. Parry, expressed the opinion that the setting out at the conference of the duties of the National Fund Board and the provincial patriotic councils should do much toward clarifying the position between the various bodies. Each body would now be able to make a definite appeal to the public for their defined objects. The care and comfort of the men in the camps scattered throughout the Dominion was essentially a national matter rather than a provincial one.

Among other matters discussed at the conference was the question of supplying the men with pyjamas, sox, handkerchiefs and other necessary personal gear. It was clear to the conference that although such items as sox were provided by the Government, an extra pair would be welcomed and greatly appreciated. Provincial councils would be arranging at an early date for the supply of material-cut for pyjamas to be made available, and also for wool to be supplied for sox-knit-ting. A point stressed at the conference was that all goods supplied should be of a standard pattern. It is also necessary, wherever possible, that these should be made with preshrunk wool or material. The material already cut for pyjamas was issued with the object of maintaining a standard pattern. Handkerchiefs for presentation to the troops should be khaki for the Army and white for the Navy. The question of co-ordinating effort for the raising of funds by the National body and the provincial councils was also discussed. A satisfactory arrangement was made so that people in all parts of New Zealand would not be constantly asked for donations oy various funds. The hope was expressed that now the way had been made clear for the full and proper working of the provincial and the national funds, the patriotic and generous spirit of the people would result in a liberal response to the appeals for funds for the benefit of the men in the camps.