USE OF PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23352, 11 June 1941, Page 4

USE OF PATRIOTIC FUNDS

♦ EXPLANATION TO TROOPS ft .1 .■ i. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 10. The value of subsidies from the National Patriotic Fund to regimental funds was emphasised by Brigadier J. Hargest, who left New Zealand in command of the 2nd Echelon, in a notice posted for the information of his troops, a copy of which has been received in the Dominion. The notice set out the many ways in which men of the forces, although not always realised by them, were receiving the benefit of the funds subscribed on their behalf by the people. Its main object appears to have been to correct the impression which ex* isted among some of the men invalided back to New Zealand earlier that the moneys raised were not being dispersed for their benefit, and to make known to them the fact that the benefactions they had received from various institutions and clubs had been made possible through, funds subscribed by the New Zealand public, and made available through the National Patriotic Fund Board. All the societies and clubs had done and were doing a lot of good work, stated Brigadier Hargest, and they merited praise; but in reality almost every penny spent on soldiers’ entertainment and comfort was found from the patriotic fund. When, for example, the Young Men’s Christian Association gave tea to troops overseas, or a unit padre handed out a packet of cigarettes, the money to purchase them had been subscribed by the public of New Zealand, and paid into the patriotic fund board, which authorised the Young Men’s Christian Association or the padre to spend the money. Without the subscription in the first place, and the authority of the board, the gift could not be forthcoming.