PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3080, 9 February 1942, Page 7

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

HOW THEY ARE SPENT

POSITION EXPLAINED LOOKING AFTER THE SOLDIERS A statement issued by the National Patriotic Fund Board, Wellington, says that it appears necessary to point out that the war work of the Y.M.C.A., Church Army, Salvation Army, Navy League War Council, Catholic War Services Fund Board, Air Force Relations and other welfare organisations associated with the New Zealand Forces is financed from the patriotic funds. “This .point seems either to be overlooked by some members of the Forces, or, even at this stage, is unknown to them,” continues the statement. “The machinery of o the patriotic organisation specifically provides for the appointment of expending agents of the Patriotic Fund Board, and that is precisely the role being carried out by the various welfare organisations. Working in conjunction with the Board in looking after the welfare of the men are the following: Y.M.C.A., Church of England Military Affairs Committee, Catholic War Services Fund Board, and Salvation Army, for the fighting services generally, Air Force Relations for the Air Force supplementing the work of the Y.M.C.A. in Air Force Camps, Navy League War Council for the Navy and Deep Sea Merchantment, and the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society for sick and wounded and prisoners of war. In addition the Overseas Seamen’s Gift Committee attends to the comforts for merchant seamen. A Misconception “Although the names or badges of these organisations are prominently identified with the war work being done, that work—and this is what is not yet understood by quite a number of people generally—is financed from patriotic funds. The Board generously recognises and appreciates the. splendid service being given by these organisations and echoes the sentiments expressed in this regard by the members of the Forces, but those who have written praising these bodies and who have inferred that the Patriotic Fund Board is leaving everything to them and that the troops are not getting the benefit of the patriotic funds obviously are unaware of the true facts.

“The Board finances from the money subscribed by the New Zealand public the whole of the war work of these bodies whose service

for the New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen is given on the Board’s behalf. That is the position plainly and in a nutshell. It is quite incorrect, therefore, for any soldier overseas to write home, as some have done, and say because he sees the Y.M.C.A. oi' Church Army sign prominently dispolyed that, the troops are not getting anything from the patriotic funds.”

Many Services

The* Board’s statement also says that some men are inclined to measure the success or failure of the patriotic effort by the number of unaddressed gift parcels they receive. “The unaddressed gift parcels scheme,” the statement adds, “is but a small section of the patriotic activities. The recreational huts in New Zealand and overseas and operated by welfare organisations have been erected and furnished and are maintained from the patriotic funds. Financial backing was, given for the establishment of the highly successful and popular New Zealand Forces Clubs in London and Cairo, and club premises for men on leave were built for New Zealand troops stationed elsewhere overseas. The cost of equipment for the Kiwi Concert Party is the Middle East and for the bands with the Second N.Z.E.F. was also met from the patriotic funds. Mobile units to serve the troops in the forward areas and an ice cream plant and specially refrigerated van have also been provided, libraries have been established, big stocks of woollen goods have been sent forward for issue when necessary, and supplies of cigarettes and tobacco have been shipped at intervals for free distribution. These do not nearly exhaust the Board’s activities. AU New Zealanders Overseas “Another point sometimes lost sight of is that it is not only the men in the Middle East and those in New Zealand who have to be provided for, but also all New Zealanders who are serving overseas. They are widely scattered and are no small family. It is not claimed that everything works out 100 per cent, as planned; that is not practicable in war time. The Board’s objective is to endeavour as far as humanly possible, having regard to transport ond other difficulties, to see that all men are catered for without distinction and that they share alike. While there are some who find fault, there are many others who have written in glowing terms of appreciation of the Board’s efforts. In the latter class is MajorGeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg, G.0.C., Second N.Z.E.F., from whom a letter was received recently reiterating a previous opinion expressed by him that no body of troops is better treated ’than the New Zealanders.”