PATRIOTIC FUND

Evening Star, Issue 23526, 15 March 1940, Page 9

PATRIOTIC FUND

POLICY OF NATIONAL BOARD

«,3fß ALNEABY SPENT

(Psa United Pkes* Association.]

WELLINGTON, March 14. , Up to March 11, the expenditure by the National Patriotic Fund Board for the benefit of the armed forces and general patriotic purposes totalled £38,300 5s 4d. Receipts to the same . day totalled £39,480 3s Bd, leaving a balance of £1,179 18s 4d. These returns were shown in a financial statement submitted to a meeting of the board in Wellington to-day bythe sec-retary-treasurer (Mr G. A. Hayden). The meeting was presided over by the Governor-General (Viscount Galway). The sum of £1,729 11s 3d was spent on the provision of comforts for members of the first echelon and more than £2OO has been expended in providing comforts for the troops in New Zealand. In addition to this amount, substantial grants have been made to the T.M.C. A. and the Salvation Army for ths erection of recreation huts at camps in this country. The board decided to make the Y.M.C.A. and the’overseas gifts commissioner its only expending ■ agents overseas for the provision of comforts and recreation facilities. Pro- ’ vision for the sick and wounded is a ’■ separate and special responsibility. This , is under the care of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and Red Cross Society. !

IVIRKAS CIFT COMMISSIONER

AUCKLAND, March 14. He appointment is announced of Mr Jamea Selling, of Auckland, as Gift Commissioner to represent the National Patriotic Fund Board with the New Zealand; Expeditionary Force overseas. It is understood that Mr Melling will halve the .rank of major. Ho will have charge of all -gifts despatched by the board for the troops, ana cash will be placed l at his disposal so that he will be in a position to make urgent purchases on behalf of the beard for the men wherever they may ,be stationed. It is stated the board desires that Mr Melling shall go with the second echelon, and it is hoped that arrangements can be completed in time for this to be possible. ■ Mr Melling has had considerable administrative experience which should enable him to carry out his new duties with success. He was born at Wigan, England, 62 years ago and, after, receiving private tuition, attended St, Michael’s and. All Angels College at Wigan. He entered the service of the London and North-Western Railway. Company as a cadet, serving with • this; company for 17 years, at the end of which he came to New Zealand. At r . the age of 17 he commenced his mili- ■ tary career as a volunteer with the ; ■ Manchester Regiment, with which he remained for four years, then transferring to the Lancashire Hussars. He came to New Zealand in 1909 and on the outbreak of war, joined the 4th Waikato Squadron of the Auckland ■' Mounted Rifles in which he gained the rank of sergeant. He served in Egypt •j.; and.on- Gallipoli, where he was severely ‘g;. wounded-. lengthy period in ' • warious hospitals in England, he was % invalided to New Zealand in 1916. ■ Shortly after his return to the DoI minion, My Melling entered the ser- ■: r vice of the Auckland City Council and ■ became records and committee clerk in the town clerk’s department. He was appointed assistant town clerk in 1923, and on the retirement of the town clerk (Mr J. S. Brigham) in .. April, 1936, he was appointed town clerk. Mr Melling is a Fellow of the . Chartered Institute of Secretaries of England. A son. Second-lieutenant S. Melling, with the 6th Field Company, New Zealand Artillery, is proceeding overseas with the second echelon.

USES OF FUND CLARIFIED FACILITIES Tf SEND MONEY ASSURE! We have been handed copies of letters that have passed between the Governor-General, and the Deputy Prime Minister, with reference to the use that i* to be made of funds subscribed for patriotic purposes. On March 11 His Excellency wrote to Mr Eraser:— As chairman of the National Patriotic Fund Board, I am writing to draw your attention to the uncertainty ' which exists in some minds as to the position of certain moneys being sent overseas for war purposes. The Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army, and other organisations are pushing « drive to raiae funds for -comforts, etc., for troope, and some people are inclined to hesitate in subscribing, as they are not sure that money so subscribed will be allowed to be sent overseas. I think that the position should he made perfectly clear, and be put beyond any misconception. The organisation or patriotic funds is now well established, and the principal bodies who- are collecting agents now come into these categories:— Sick,' wounded, and prisoners of war: Joint, Council of Red Cross and Order of St. John. Gamp comforts, recreations, and sport: Y.M.C.A.. Salvation Army, and other bodies, and-provincial councils. . Air' Force comforts: Air Force relations. ; Comforts, for the Navy, trawlers, minesweepers, and merchant marine: Dominion branch of the Navy League (in . process of formation) and Flock House. Comforts overseas: Overseas commissioner of the board. On the advice and with the co-opera-tion of these bodies, the National Patriotic Fund Board proposes to allocate moneys as and when required to be sent overseas. The Joint Council of the Bed Cross Society and Order of St. John will work closely in touch with the British Red Cross, and supplement what is required by the latter. . Money will be sent by the National > Patriotic Fund Board to the British Red Cross and to the Red Cross of allied countries. No money will be sent to the International Red Cross, but parcels for prisoners of war will be sent to the New Zealand High Commissioner in London. I would like this letter published, together with your reply, in order to assure the public that money will be available for transfer overseas for patriotic purposes. The Deputy Prime Minister replied on the following day:— In reply to your letter of the 11th instant concerning the doubts existing in some minds as to the availability of patriotic funds overseas. I have plea,tiyi£ tha. .Govern-

ment has made arrangements with the Reserve Bank to facilitate transfers overseas of all funds which, in the opinion of the National Patriotic Fund Board are required for recreation huts, camp comforts, or other amenities fqp-onr-jroqpa in tie field*