Kennedy Memorial Fund By Public Subscription

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30313, 13 December 1963, Page 18

Kennedy Memorial Fund By Public Subscription

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 12.

An appeal for contributions to a memorial fund to honour President Kennedy was made by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) tonight.

The fund will be known as the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial Fund. It will be used to bring to New Zealand Americans eminent in academic life, literature, or public affairs to lecture and to meet a wide cross-section of New Zealanders.

Mr Holyoake said that Mrs Kennedy had given her approval of the proposal.

"The people we have in mind for fellowships under the Kennedy fund would be of the highest standing in their own fields, and therefore best able to illustrate the ideals and purposes to which the late President Kennedy devoted his life,” said Mr Holyoake. "The Government would like to think ot this fund and the work it would do as keeping President Kennedy’s memory green in the minds of New Zealanders.” he said. “We see the fund as reaffirming this country’s commitment to the aims of peace and social justice which President Kennedy pursued with such clear-sightedness, generosity and vigour and which his tragic and untimely death prevented him from carrying to fulfilment.

“There is already ample provision made for the exchange between the United States and New Zealand of students, teachers and research scholars, as well as opportunity for New Zealanders outstanding in politics, journalism and other fields of public activity to travel in the United States.

‘The Kennedy fund, although necessarily limited in its scope, would enable us to bring leading Americans to this country to give us the benefit of their experience

and their insights. At the same time, it would allow them to learn more about New Zealand and its attitudes.” Mr Holyoake said the Government had decided to make an initial contribution of £15,000 to the fund. “I am confident the general public will fully approve what the Government proposes and will wish to make its contribution. The Government would like to think the public will be prepared to match and more than match the Government’s initial contribution.” he said He said he thought it would be most helpful if mayors, county chairmen, and newspapers throughout the country could lend their influence to his appeal for funds. He invited them to make a co-ordinated appeal to the people in their districts and to extend the facilities of their offices to collecting donations and forwarding them to Wellington. Mr Holyoake said his own office would, of course, be ready to accept individual donations direct. Donations collected by local authorities and newspapers or sent direct should be addressed to the Kennedy Memorial Fund Appeal, the Prime Minister’s office, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.