PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21247, 18 October 1940, Page 7

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

“REHABILITATION” ISSUE ORGANISER S EXPLANATION STATE'S DUTIES DEFINED Comment on the misunderstanding apparent in the Dominion regarding the extent and scope of the lunds required for rehabilitation as part of the objects of the patriotic funds campaign, was made today by Mr C. G. Hunt, a joint -organiser of Waikato queen camivai for patriotic funds. He stated in an interview that most of the misunderstanding appeared to be due to the fact that many people were unable to differentiate between “rehabilitation” and 'Repatriation.” “Repatriation is the responsibility of the State and it is not the intention of the Patriotic Councils to relieve the State of this duty or even to assist with the repatriation of returning members of the fighting services,” Mr Hunt said. “Nor has any wish been expressed by the Government that assistance should be given in this connection. The fund now being raised for rehabilitation was supplementary to the general repatriation funds and would be used principally to assist returned men during short periods between the time when they were discharged from the fighting services and when they were permanently resettled into civilian life under the State’s repatriation scheme. Jn some cases this period would not be great but in others some weeks might elapse before permanent repatriation could be arranged. The men

. oncemed must not Du allowed to be in want during that period. Commenting on the funds needed for general patriotic purposes, Mr Hunt stated that the public was fully aware of the great assistance that was being rendered to the members of the fighting services and their dependants by the various patriotic committees. In addition to supplying the members of the fighting services with recreation facilities and camp comforts a great deal was being done to assist the dependants of men in the fighting forces. Help For Dependants “It is true that provision is made by the State for the maintenance of the dependants of men on active service but, while in most cases this maintainance is ample, such is not always the case,” said Mr Hunt.. “There are many instances of dependants being unable to make ends meet for various reasons and it is these cases which the patriotic committee desires to assist. The sum aimed at in the present appeal is £1,000,000, and. while this may seem a staggering amount, it is doubtful if it will suffice for any length of time. “It would not be wise to disclose figures relating to the extent of New Zealand’s fighting services,” Mr Hunt said, “but the public can rest assured that they are far greater than is generally believed. It has been reliably estimated that even if only a few pounds is spent on each man the £1.000,000 now being raised would be exhausted in less than a year. “Under these circumstances the civilian population of New Zealand must manfully face the task of raising the funds needed in spite of heavy taxation. The need is great and it is the duty of every patriotic citizen to give liberally and cheerfully to patriotic funds,” concluded Mr Hunt.