REGIMENTAL FUNDS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16210, 13 May 1918, Page 3

REGIMENTAL FUNDS

SUGGESTION" FOR "POOLING."'

Notification was received last week by the Auckland Patriotic Association from the Advisory Board that the latter had approved of the establishment of a common fund of £15,000 a year to provide regimental funds for all tho NewZealand soldiers. The proposal was that this should bo in lieu ot the existing arrangement whereby each military area provides tor its'own legimcnts. Jo was honed that the Suggested common fund would provide sutturienb money toi all tho ron-imonts, and that many inequalities bbtween ihe various regiments which might have existed in the past would not be perpetuated, 'ihe Board suggested that, instead of tho societies makin" montldv contributions, the fund «kould he by three payments during the year of £-5030 each, oil tho following basis: — Auckland, 2-1.54 ner cent, of population, £1227: Gisborno. 1.90, £88; Taranaki. 5.18, £259: Hawke's Bay, -1.83. £242: Wellington. 19.5(3, £978: Marlboro" lgh. 1.00, £80: Nelson, 2.66, £133; Westland. 3.63, £184; Canterbury, 17.12. £856; Otago, 17.86, £649; Southland, 5.88, £294. The president, Mr J. H. Gunson remarked upon the anomaly of working) out the contributions on a population basis. To his mind it was absurd that, while Auckland 'should be asked to contribute £1227, a rich district like Gisborn© should only be asked for £98. A motion was carried to the effect that the executive could not see its way to adopt the Board's proposal until the provincial branches had an opportunity of considering it.

It is said in British naval circles, says a Son Francisco paper, that, when «n American squadron, consisting of the U.S.S. Delaware, New 'iork and Wyoming, with destroyers and other craft, came up the Firth, the British flagship signalled to them: "You are to anchor west of the- Forth bridge." But tho Americans passed under the bridge and sailed on. Shortly the British Admiral made another signal: "Wc signalled just now that vou were to anchor west, of the Forth bridge; why don't you stop?'' and the American flagship immediately signalled the reply: "Wejl, 1 guess we have odlj passed one bridge as yet,' : -