PATRIOTIC FUND PURPOSES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23803, 24 November 1942, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FUND PURPOSES

♦ UNITED NATIONS FAIR PLANNED CHRISTCHURCH EFFORT IN MARCH A United Nations Fair is to be held in Christchurch early next year to raise money for patriotic purposes. The fair, which wi*l start in the last week in March, is being sponsored by the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association, and will be held, if possible, in the King Edward Barracks. The holding of the fair was discussed at a meeting held in the City Council Chambers last evening. The president of the Returned Services’ Association (Mr C. Miln) presided, and also present were the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) and representatives of patriotic and other organisations that had agreed to co-operate. Mr Miln said the Returned Services’ Association had agreed to sponsor the fair, and sought as wide support as possible. There was quite a possibility of getting the King Edward Barracks. The Commercial Travellers’ Association had offered to organise any raffles, the women’s section of the Returned Services’ Association had offered to run the refreshments, and a number of people had offered to work in any branch of activity. Mr E. Orchard said the public would be behind any effort to raise money for patriotic funds. He suggested that the fair should aim at raising at least £SOOO. A United Nations procession could be held, and the organisers should obtain the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band or a United Nations band. The Returned Services’ Association suburban committees had offered to run the sideshows, and goods had been given for raffles. The need for Canterbury to make every effort to raise its quota of patriotic funds this year was emphasised by the Mayor, who said that the amount fixed for the whole of New Zealand was £1,129,000, of which about half was required for prisoners of war. Canterbury’s quota would be £173,209, and to this had to be added last year’s deficit of £47,500. Altogether the province would have to raise £220,619. The metropolitan quota would probably be similar to that of last year—about £148,000. Mr E. F. Willcox described the way in which patriotic funds were allotted, and said that £448,000 would be needed this year for prisoners of war. It was the country’s bounden duty not to neglect those men who were in countries where food supplies were very meagre indeed. The meeting appointed Mr Orchard as organiser of the fair, and Mr Willcox as secretary pro tern. A general committee consisting of the organisation committee of the Returned Services’ Association and representatives of each organisation prepared to assist, was also set up. The committee was given power to add to its numbers, and a small executive is to be appointed later.