PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

OUTLAY OVERSEAS COMFORTS FOR TROOPS REPLY TO COMPLAINTS (Per Pres 3 Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Complaints received from members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force who have returned to New Zealand of non-receipt of patriotic comforts was discussed at a meeting of the National Patriotic Fund Board yesterday, at which the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, presided. Subsequently the secretary, Mr. G. A. Hayden, stated that the board reiterated that its policy was to provide for the men collectively rather than individually.’ The board had not undertaken to forward individual comforts, except the quarterly gift of parcels and woollen goods provided by the people of the Dominion It had on occasions sent consignments of apples. This would be repeated as opportunity offered. The board, continued Mr. Hayden, was also shipping mobile canteens which had been kindly presented by various people and which it was hoped would provide a further service for members of the New Zealand forces in the Middle East. Many people still did not seem to appreciate that the board was responsible 1 for the erection and maintenance of institutional huts at camps throughout New Zealand and at bases overseas. Band instruments for various bands associated with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were also purchased out of patriotic funds and sports gear was provided. Clubs Established The board also established the New Zealand Forces Clubs in London, Cairo and Fiji, all of which were filling a great need. In addition, subsidies were given to other clubs in the Middle East which catered for members of the New Zealand forces. Funds were provided to assist in entertaining New Zealanders at various ports of call. Substantial funds had also been sent to the board’s representative overseas for emergency purposes. It was considered, Mr. Hayden, added, that the best way of getting individual comforts to the men was by subsidising their own regimental funds. This had been done from sums the board had remitted to its representatives. It was felt that many of the complaints that had been made by men returning from overseas was due to ignorance of the fact that the board, in the first place, provided funds that made possible amenities that had been provided for them and the service being rendered by the Y.M.C.A., which was the board’s agent overseas. Troops’ Own Newspaper

However, the establishment of the troops’ own newspaper, The N.Z.E.F. Times in the Middle East provided an opportunity which had not existed previously of explaining the true position. Incidentally the board was even behind the publication of the N.Z.E.F. newspaper, for it was meeting the establishment costs.

Everything possible was being done to see that the greatest good was done for the greatest number, Mr. Hayden concluded. The board’s view was that this could best be achieved by catering collectively rather than individually for the men, This had been done from the start. This policy would be continued. Various organisations were doing splendid work for the board and it was well that their assistance should receive full recognition. At the same time a point to be remembered was that the work which these organisations were doing for the New Zealand forces was financed from the funds which the board had been provided with by the people of the Dominion.