MONEY FOR AEROPLANES

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 9

MONEY FOR AEROPLANES

APPEAL THROUGHOUT DOMINION DISPOSAL Of FUND EXPLAINED [Peb United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 16. The Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, in a statement, referred to the spontaneous recognition by all sections of the community of the magnificent results achieved by the Royal Air Force against the common enemy and the desire being expressed throughout the Dominion of recognising this in a tangible manner. Already in one district funds were being collected to provide the money for aeroplanes to be given to the Royal Air Force, and other districts had expressed similar desires. He appreciated the splendid spirit behind these efforts. He drew attention to the fact, however, that, while a gift of aeroplanes of this nature was a very

acceptable offer, it did not, in tact, provide additional equipment, as the entire sources of supply were being used to capacity, and, moreover, by drawing on New Zealand’s overseas funds if used up money otherwise available for New Zealand’s war expend!- , tore overseas, which was now being loaned by the United Kingdom Government. The Government, in endorsing the effort considered that the most satisfactory method of meeting the position would be to facilitate the remittance of funds collected in the Dominion to enable fighting aeroplanes to the value of £IOO,OOO (New Zealand) to be purchased and presented to the Royal Air Force. Mr Nash added that any funds which might be collected in excess of the amount allocated would be earmarked either toward the cost of New Zealand’s share of the Empire air training scheme in Canada (for. after all. properlytrained pilots were as necessary as properly-equipped machines). or for the purchase of war machines for the defence of New Zealand. Mr Nash expressed the hope that there would bo a very generous response to the appeal throughout New Zealand.