PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1940, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

ANGLICAN CHURCH DECISION APPEAL TO BE MERGED. WITH THAT OF NATIONAL BOARD. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) ' WELLINGTON, This Day. At the request of the National Patriotic Fund Board and in the interests of economy, of unity and of presenting a united appeal to the public, the Church of England Military Affairs Committee announces that it has decided to merge its appeal in that of the National Patriotic Fund Board. In a statement read in churches in all parishes yesterday, the committee stated: — “In support of the action of the Military Affairs Committee, it should be explained:—(1) That there has been considerable misunderstanding of the original decision of the Church of England to ‘contract out’ of the Government scheme. “(2) That Church of England people were being asked to bear a double burden, as they felt their .obligation to subscribe to public as well as church appeals. / “(3) That the prime object of the 1 Church of England in contracting out was to .secure the. opportunity for spiritual ministrations which they feared might not be provided for under the original design of the National Pat- , riotic Fund Scheme. These have been very adequately guaranteed, and the objects of the Church of England thereby attained.” The committee reports that the sum collected since war was declared exceeds £ll,OOO, the greater portion of which has been expended on erecting and furnishing huts at Papakura, Trentham and Burnham, and other work for the forces.