Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1942. PATRIOTIC FUNDS AND TAXATION.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1942. PATRIOTIC FUNDS AND TAXATION.

PROPOSAL of which a good deal lias been heard al one time and another—that patriotic funds should be rmised by taxation —found considerable support at the annual meeting ol the Southland Provincial Patriotic Council on Thursday, according to a Press Association message. It is staled that the proposal was supported by a. majority ol the delegates present, but that others did not consider they were authorised by their zone committees to vote on the subject. An opportunity ol going into the whole question presumably will arise at the national conference of the Patriotic Association in Wellington during the coming month and in view ol the difficulties that have arisen in some areas in collecting funds, anil on other grounds, it, will bear careful and detailed examination. , Funds raised by taxation obviously/would not be patriotic funds as that term is now understood, but it does not follow ol' -necessity that departures should not be made from the present procedure. The weightiest argument in support ol collecting patriotic funds by popular appeal is that, they oiler a means of supplementing in a. desirable way the provision made by the State for members of the fighting forces. It is a possible view, however, that many of the things on wjiich patriotic funds are now spent should be provided by the Slate and paid for out ol taxation. In this category might be instanced comforts for the si'ek and wounded in hospital, food parcels for prisoners of war, camp huts for social amenity and other purposes, and such items as sports equipment and band instruments. Another matter eminently worthy of consideration is an expansion of canteen supply services, with provision for the posting or cabling of purchasing orders from relatives and friends in this country to members of the fighting services. One of the best schemes now in operation, where the provision of comforts is concerned, is that under which parcels of tobacco may be dispatched, duty free, to the members of our fighting forces. This scheme is administered by the Patriotic Association, but there is no obvious reason why it should be. It would surely come naturally within the scope of canteen organisation. If that plan were adopted, the man at the front could take his tobacco in quantities and at times to suit his needs and convenience. The scheme would be simplified by dispensing with the dispatch of individual parcels and providing for the transmission of purchasing orders, to be met from bulk stocks. .11. is the opinion of a good many people that in the extent to which the raising of patriotic, funds by voluntary contribution is justified, they should be raised for specific and stated purposes, and for those purposes only. On the grounds that have been mentioned and others there is a good deal of dissatisfaction with the organisation of patriotic funds as it stands. It is plainly desirable that the whole question should be discussed with complete freedom, in light of the experience that lias been gained during the war period. If that is done at the impending national conference of the Patriotic Association a valuable purpose may be served and the way may be opened to a very great improvement upon the existing state of affairs.