PATRIOTIC COLLECTIONS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 37, 12 August 1918, Page 8

PATRIOTIC COLLECTIONS

POINTS FOR THE PUBLIC

Some readers may have deduced from the Mayor's statement in' regard to collections tor patriotic purposes (published in Saturday's Post) that the War Funds office of the Internal Affairs Department might issue permits in Wellington without reference to the local authority. However, an assurance is given by the War Funds office that in regard to Wellington it always consults him when it receives applications for permits to be used in this locality.

The deduction from this statement is that the Mayor's attitude in regard to street collections (to be limited to .one a month) will not meet with any difficulties in the War Funds office.

Applications are put into the Government office for .some queer schemes. Recently a young woman was indignant when a request for a cigarette-raiding was refused. T!)3 idea was' that girls would accost men who were smoking cigarettes, and ask them to share at least one for a soldier at the front. Then these loose "smokes" would be made up into packets of ten and sent overseas.

A circular issued by the Department of Internal Affairs states that the fund recently approved by the Minister for the National Association of French War Orphanswill be closed on the 15th Augast. "The Minister's approval of this fund was granted for a ''special appeal, and not for a permanent War Fund," it is explained. "This appeal has been successful in raising a considerable sum, and. in further view of the heavy demands likely to be made on behalf of the British Red Cross, it has been decided to close . the fund .on the above date. Will you kindly note that no further permits should be issued to collect for this fund, and that any outstanding permits should be recalled by the date specified?" The Scottish Women's Hospital Fund itrustoes have informed the Minister that this fund is also closed. The issue of permits snould therefore cease, and existing permits also should be canceJleS.