PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 133, 16 March 1940, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

TRANSFER OF MONEY OVERSEAS

OFFICIAL ASSURANCE. To reassure the public as to the disposal of patriotic Junds, particularly as to the transfer of money overseas, the Governor-General, Lord .Galway, has requested the publication of correspondence between himself and the De-puty-prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser). The Governor-General’s letter was: —

WELLINGTON., March 11, 1940. , Dear Mr Fraser, —As Chairman of the National Patriotic Fund Board, I am writing to draw your attention to the uncertainty which exists in some minds as to the position of certain moneys being sent overseas for war purposes. The Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army and other organisations are pushing a drive to raise funds for comforts, etc., for troops, and some people are inclined to hesitate in subscribing, as they are not sure that money so subscribed will he allowed to be sent overseas. I think that the position should lie made perfectly clear and be put beyond any misconception. The organisation of patriotic funds is now well established, and the principal who are collecting agents now come into these categories : —• Sick, wounded and prisoners of war: Joint Council of Red Cross and Order of St. John. Camp, comforts, recreations and sport: Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army and other bodies, and Provincial Councils. Air Force comforts: Air Force relations. Comforts for the Navy, - Trawlers, Minesweepers, and Merchant Marine: Dominion Branch of the Navy League (in process of : formation), and “Flock House.”

Comforts overseas: Overseas Commissioner of the Board. On the advice and with the co-opera-tion of these bodies, the National Patriotic Fund Boavd propose to allocate moneys as and when required to be sent overseas.

The Joint Council oh the Red Cross Society and Order of St. John will work closely in touch with the British Red Cross, and supplement what is required by the latter. Money will be sent by the National Patriotic Fund Board to the British Red Cross and to the Red Cross of allied countries. No money will be sent to the International Red Cross, but parcels for prisoners of war will be sent ,to the New Zealand High Commissioner in London. I would like this letter published, together with your reply, in order to assure the public .that money will he available for transfer, overseas for patriotic purposes. Yours sincerely, (Signed) Galway, / 1 Governor-General. Mr Fraser’s reply was as follows: WELLINGTON, March 12, 1940. Your Excellency,—ln reply to your letter of the 11th instant concerning the doubts existing in some minds as to the availability of Patriotic funds overseas, I have pleasure in advising you that the Government has made arrangements with the Reserve Bank to facilitate transfers overseas of all funds which in the opinion of the National Patriotic Fund Board are required for Recreation huts, camp comforts or other amenities for our troops in tho field. Yours, faithfully, (Signed) P. Fraser, Deputy Prime Minister.