HOME DEFENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 186, 15 July 1940, Page 5

HOME DEFENCE

<> OFFER FROM WHAKATANE! SUBSIDY FOR ARMAMENTS Guided entirely by a desire to as sist in the Government's efforts t bring about a sound defence of th Dominion in the face of in vasion, or national emergency com ditions arising out of the presen state of uncertainty, ; group of responsible Whakatan citizens, approached the BEACON recently offering to start a func which would assist towards thi purchase of still more arms anc equipment for the defence of Nov Zealand. A wire to the Prime Minister alone the lines set out, suggested that tin movement might become Dominionwide and result in something substantial being raised.. It was pointed .out that in view of; the presenl grave conditions patriotic • citizens would be willing to subsidise by Way of a special"-fund-the purchase of weapons for augmenting the present defence equipment» The following reply lias been received from the Prime Minister following the first formal acknowledgment: — ? "With further reference to your representations regarding ; the desire of Whakatane citizens to subsidise the Government in; the immediate purchase of arms for defence of Dominion. The splendid spirit of pat-* riotism and generosity shown by the offer is greatly appreciated by the Government. t I trust however that it will be realised by you and those associated with you that the moneys subscribed for this purpose will not in fact have th<i very desirable result of actually adding ito the armed strength of the Dominion for the reason that Empire and other factories and munition works are already at full capacity. Nevertheless the voluntary contribution of funds will in itself be still further evidence of National de- .. .texmiiiation to prosecute! the war to a successful conclusion and the Government will be pleased to facilitate the making of contributions. I would like to point out that under the "Patriotic Purposes Emergency Regulations, 1939," this is a patriotic purpose and the only bodies authorised to appeal to the public are the National Patriotic Fund Board and the various provincial patriotic councils. I am immediately communicating with the National Patriotic Fund Board and National Patriotic Council urging them to take up existing proposals in this direction and where necessary co-opt for purposes of this particular effort the services of citizens in various parts of New Zealand who have taken initiative in suggesting that aeroplanes or other armament should be provided. You will I feel sure recognise apart from the actual position the desirability of utilising existing organisations specially set up and fitted for patriotic appeals. Furthermore the use of these organisations will be in the direct spirit of the . patriotic purpose Emergency Regulations to nationalise our war effort and to prevent conflicting and overlapping appeals.'* NOVEL WAIROA SCHEME The desire to assist in a practical manner the wives and families of men who have joined up with the New Zealand forces has prompted the Wairoa branch of the New Zealand Labour Party to elect a welfare committee. The main purpose of this committee will be to make sure that soldiers' wives have a vege table garden and that a plentiful supply of chopped firewood is always on hand. It is realised only too well the difficulty that these women will experience in getting done alii those small but very necessary outside jobs which in the past have been the duties of their husbands.