SURPLUS FUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 9

SURPLUS FUNDS.

PATRIOTIC. APPEALS.

QUESTION OF DISPOSAL NAPIER, this day. An assurance is to be sought from the Government by the Hawke's Bay Provincial Patriotic Council that any surpluses from appeals to patriotic funds will not be paid into the ConsolidatedFund or be used for Government purposes. Members of the council at a meeting expressed the belief that the coming appeal would be overscribed, and decided to seek an assurance from the Minister i of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, that any such surplus will not find its way into the Consolidated Fund. " \ The Mayor of Wairoa, Mr. H. L. M. Harker, said he had deliberately not opened a fighter plane fund in the town because he believed the money was not going to the Spitfire fund but to the Consolidated Fund. The appeal throughout the country would by now be heavily oversubscribed, said Mr. Harker. Districts which had collected £5000 or more would get their name painted on the side of a Spitfire, but the actual money raised would not buy a bolt or nut for ii plane. I , ; was just pulling the people's legs, he declared. Mr. G. A. Maddison, Mayor of Hastings, urged that all,money contributed to any funds ought to foe sent overseas for the purpose for which it was prescribed. If people were to, be deceived and money used for any other purpose, it would interfere with people's generosity. It wap the gesture which was important. Although the money subscribed might not be used actually to buy a plane, people had shown themselves willing to help the British people, and that was what mattered. "Far Too Many Funds." "I think far too many funds are being opened in this country, and we should concentrate on one large fund," eaid Mr. T. W. Hercock, Mayor of Napier, and chairman of the council. Other members supported the motion by Mr. Maddieon, urging that surpluses from appeals should foe placed in the general patriotic funds. The council aleo discussed the need for a clear definition of the Government's policy in regard to the rehabilitation before the next appeal for funds was opened. "Nothing we can do for our Air Force, Army or Navy boys is too great, but it is high time the policy of the Government was defined," said Mr. Maddison. Mr. Hercock said the important point was that any money given by councils for rehabilitation should not be subject to any taxation, social security payments or pensions. Members of the council aleo strongly criticised restrictions of amounts which New Zealanders were allowed to send to relatives or friends serving overseas. It was pointed out that many men had splendid opportunities for educational tours, but the restrictions prevented them from taking advantage of them. "A Disgrace to New Zealand." The fact that New Zealand soldiers in England were unable to get money from relatives and friends in the Dominion described by the Mayor of Dannevirke as a disgrace to New Zealand. Moreover, he added, it encouraged the men themselves to become cadgers. It was decided to ask the Government to raise the limit to £50 a year, and to reduce as far as possible the cost of sending smaller amounts.