PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 123, 26 May 1944, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

POWER BOARD'S GIFT

On the motion of Mr. J. W. Andrews, the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board decided yesterday to contribute £1000 to the Metropolitan Patriotic Fund. Mr. J. J. Maher said that while he was entirely in agreement with the making of the donation and considered the board could not be over-generous in the matter, he was of the opinion that after the war the board should keep strictly to the business for which it had been formed and if it had surplus funds it should reduce the price of current. He feared that when the consumers heard of the gift they would be inclined to sit back and not assist the patriotic fund, on the ground that they had already contributed through the board. Mr. H. Lancaster and others expressed agreement with the views stated by Mr. Maher. Mr. Andrews said there was quite a lot in what Mr. Maher had'said, but after considering every method of raising patriotic funds he had found that donations from trading concerns, such as the board, was the most equitable way of contributing, as each consumer in this way did his share according to ability. What was more, the donations were tax free, whereas those from private firms were not. A firm desiring to make a £3000 donation would have to put aside over £4000. Mr. S. Blackley said donations were not entirely tax free, as the P.W.D. was taxed and passed on the tax by way of higher charges.