CONTINUANCE OF DISTRICT PATRIOTIC FUNDS FAVOURED

Evening Star, Issue 26136, 25 June 1947, Page 4

CONTINUANCE OF DISTRICT PATRIOTIC FUNDS FAVOURED

WELLINGTON, June 25. Support for the proposed establishment of veterans’ homes was expressed by the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, when making an unexpected appearance this morning at a meeting of the National Patriotic Fund Board in Wellington. Sir Bernard said he would watch this aspect of the board’s work with keen interest. .The meeting approved following recommendations from the recent conference on patriotic canteen funds:-— I That the. provincial funds remain as at present, and that funds bo expended in accordance with the present legislation, with the following provisos: (1) It be a recommendation to the National Patriotic Fund Board that a conference be called of all provincial patriotic councils with a view to discussing the reconstitution of provincial patriotic councils'throughout the Dominion on as uniform a basis as possible, and to provide adequate official representation of ex-service organisations; (2) that there be a constitution of zone and inter-zone committees of provincial patriotic councils also to provide adequate official representation of ex-service organisations; (3) that provincial patriotic councils be. asked to set up welfare committees throughout their provincial areas, such committees to include representation of ex-service organisations. It was agreed that the conference should take place in 'Wellington on August 20. After the Mayor of Auckland, Mr J. C. Allum, had criticised the proposed reconstitution of the National Patriotic Fund Board as defined at last week’s meeting, it was agreed that, in addition to other appointees, there should be seven representatives from provincial patriotic councils.