THE NEED OF FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 92, 19 April 1941, Page 8

THE NEED OF FUNDS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —It is stated in your columns that at the lunch-hour intercessory service in the Town Hall on Wednesday last the Rev. C. C. Hoskin compared the "Nation's Call to Prayer" on the one hand and the "Monte Carlos on the streets" on the other. I feel certain that the Rev. Mr. Hoskin and all agree that it is imperative that there be ample patriotic funds in hand to meet the constant call for money to provide the essential comforts and welfare of our thousands of gallant fighting men who have given up their jobs, left their homes and dear ones, to go overseas to participate in this titanic fight for freedom.

Such, being the case, then it is agreed that the Wellington quota of £100,000 must be raised. The facts reveal that early endeavours to raise the £100,000 by direct donations met with such a poor response that other ways and means to collect the money had to be adopted. To the Rev. C. C. Hoskin and all of those who share his views, I say, "Now is your opportunity -to combat the devices you object to by seeing that the £100.000 is in hand on or before May 14." If .there are 50,000 people in Wellington who share the views of the Rev. C. C. Hoskin. let them each come forward with a £1 donation and the £100.000 will be in sight. ;If there are a lesser number, of followers, then

only a bigger individual donation will meet,the situation. Surely, then, even regardless of the amount of each donation, it is up to each and everybody who objects to raffles, etc., to work to eliminate the necessity for them by the only practical solution of the problem—namely, direct donations in sufficient numbers and amounts to ensure the raising of the £100,000 by May 14.—1 am, etc.,

ERIC A. CLARK,

P. H. Aston also writes taking exception to the criticism made by the Wellington East Methodist Church. The correspondent states:—"lt should not be necessary to remind the church that the money for which we are ap-; pealing is to be spent on the comfort, and care of our soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Hundreds of willing worker? are working day and night that some wounded boy, lying ill ,in some far-off spot, shut off from the sight of his dear ones, may know he has no need to fear; that men strained to breaking point after a week's, fighting may derive ease and comfort from the thought that those at home are linked to them through their hours of trial. We are persuading the people to contribute ,to this appeal by the only method they have so far responded to."