MONEY FOR PLANES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 August 1940, Page 5

MONEY FOR PLANES

CRITICISM OF PUBLIC COLLECTION

VIEWS OF THE PROVINCIAL PATRIOTIC COUNCIL.

DIVERSION FROM FUNDS FOR SOLDIERS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, This Day. Raising funds by public subscription for the purchase of aeroplanes for Britain was criticised yesterday by members of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council, on the grounds that it detracted from the collection of funds for other patriotic purposes, and could not actually increase the number of aeroplanes available for the defence of Britain.

The Mayor of Masterton, Mr T. Jordan, said the provincial appeal was being very much pushed into the background by various other collecting campaigns. In his district there had been no respite from collections for the Red Cross since last May. Then he heard that a conference was being called for the purchase of aeroplanes. This matter had been discussed by the National Patriotic Advisory Council, at a meeting attended by the Prime Minister. The meeting had decided that the provision of equipment and munitions of war was a matter wholly for the Government, so that the cost would fall on taxpayers generally, not on individuals. The proposed scheme would not provide a single extra plane Sterling funds would be depleted to no purpose.

ESSENTIAL NEEDS. It was essential that funds should be built up for the welfare and rehabilitation of New Zealand soldiers, and further appeals for large sums would be made. The raising of funds by public subscription for buying aeroplanes must inevitably adversely affect future appeals for patriotic purposes. Pending further appeals, the immediate funds of the National Patriotic Board and the various provincial councils were suffering a constant drain for the supply of comforts and amenities for the troops in camp or abroad. It was essential there should be a continuous influx of money for these purposes. Mr Jordan said that when he read that funds were being raised for buying aeroplanes, he sent a telegram to the Minister of Internal Affairs, protesting against the appeal for funds for aeroplanes. He had pointed out that it was not an authorised purpose, but was directly contrary to the express decision of the advisory council. The claims of the provincial councils were now paramount. The Minister replied that Mr Jordan’s views were being placed before the Government.

At that time the collection of money for aeroplanes was not an authorised purpose, but the day after the sending of his telegram it was made an authorised purpose, Mr Jordan said. The patriotic council was concerned with the welfare of the soldier, and this money or some of it, would otherwise come into the patriotic fund's coffers. The amount of money available for patriotic purposes was limited, and some of it was being deflected to these activities.

The Minister of Finance was frank enough to admit that the money raised would not buy a single extra aeroplane. PROTEST RECORDED.

“I wish to record my protest on behalf of the solder against this exploitation of the goodwill and generosity of the public to lighten war expenditure,” Mr Jordan said. “I am afraid we may be short of funds later on.” Mr E. C. Hale, of the Dominion executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, said it was definitely going to be a drain on funds for the soldiers. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr Hislop, said all that was being done was to give the British Government a postdated cheque to buy, an aeroplane. The cheque would be honoured one day. It was quite clear that the money would have to be borrowed, and the British Government did not want to be lending money. He considered it was a valuable gesture, however. Mr Jordan: “It should have been made straight-out by the Government on behalf of the people.”

Mr Hislop said the whole production of the aircraft factories was already purchased. Every machine that could be built had been ordered. If, however, anything could be done to take a greater share of the burden of the war. he thought it should be done. War taxation in Britain was £6O a head, in New Zealand is was £l2, a flea-bite. He thought, however, that the burden of taxation in this country for peacetime needs should be lightened.

Mr J. Andrews, Mayor of Lower Hutt, said everyone in the room would agree with what Mr Jordan had said. The Government no doubt were influenced by the spectacular nature of the appeal.

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