PATRIOTIC FUND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 February 1943, Page 2

PATRIOTIC FUND

THE MASTERTON APPEAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED. CAMPAIGN NEXT MONTH. The arrangements for the forthcoming Patriotic Fund appeal were advanced a stage further last night, when a meeting of the Masterton and District Patriotic Committee was held. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan; presided. Mr Jordan said some people had asked why so much was still required for patriotic funds, in view of the fact that the Government had given £340,000 towards the expenditure in respect to prisoners of war. There were many factors to be taken into account. He quoted figures which showed that the number of men under arms had doubled since last year’s appeal was made and in addition, the number of institutions in New Zealand had increased from 49 to 248 as at November last year. Mr Jordan drew attention to the large amount absorbed in payment of freight on comforts, parcels, etc., sent to the forces overseas and to prisoners of war. In spite of the Government’s contribution of £340,000, it had not taken over the complete payment towards prisoners of war. It was still necessary this year to find £lOB,OOO out of patriotic funds for prisoners of war expenses. Mr Jordan said he had a copy of the patriotic fund budget approved by the last conference and he would be pleased to allow anyone to inspect it if they wanted any further information. Mr Jordan went on to review the proceedings of the Wairarapa Zone Patriotic Committee meeting held last week, at which it was decided that the area from Mauriceville to the Lake should make an appeal as one unit, for which the quota was £20,121, which was slightly less than last year’s figure. That should not be a difficult job for this district. That meeting had i agreed unanimously that the money should be raised by direct giving and that the appeal should start on March 6 and finish on March 31. Some people asked, why the hurry? Mr Jordan said it was suspected that there be another Government loan launched not long after March 31 and that some of the propaganda for that loan would start some time in March. It was unfortunate that the two appeals should clash and they had protested about it last year. It was agreed to take steps to see if Mr A. P. Bennett could be released* from Hospital Board duties to enable him to act as secretary and treasurer. The following were appointed as members of the committee: Messrs A. D. Low, J. T. Jameson, J. A. Betts, H. H. Daniell, R. H. Williams, P. F. Fagan, A. P. Bennett and A. Cretney. Mr Betts said that last year the committee had received very valuable assistance from the ladies and the committee would like them to be behind it again this year. Mr Betts said the affairs of ’ National Patriotic Fund Board were in very able hands. He was privileged to attend a full meet- ( ing of National Patriotic Fund delegates recently and it was an inspiration to him to see the very fine class of citizens who were conducting patriotic fund affairs. Mr Betts paid a special tribute to the work of the secretary, who was particularly active to prevent any overlapping in the board’s activities.