PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3281, 28 June 1943, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

THE POSITION EXPLAINED EXPENDING AGENTS •‘Although there appears to be a better, appreciation now in New Zealand of the way the Dominion's patriotic organisation operates, it is evident that a misconception still exists in the minds of some of the New Zealand service personnel overseas. This is undoubtedly due to the use that is made of well-known national welfare institutions as expending and distributing agents.'' is the statement issued by the Patriotic Fund. These institutions have been permitted throughout to make known their close ami important association with the work by using their special insignia or badges and also by other means. They have done a splendid job and the National Patriotic Fund .Board now. as at the beginning of operations, feels that they should have this privilege. At the same time, this system has led to some members of the forces believing that the patriotic effort is being financed by these organisations, whereas the actual position is that their war work among the forces is financed from the patriotic funds. Various means have been adopted, the statement continues, to make the true position more widely known, but it is evident that the steps taken in

the past have not been completely suecessful. With a view to bringing the facts more directly to the attention of the men overseas the Board has had a leaflet printed, a copy of which is to be included in each unaddressed parcel sent overseas in future through the patriotic organisations. Hospital Comforts “When you receive comforts in hospitals from the Red Cross Society these are part of the patriotic effort,” the message says in part. “Remember when you enter the Y.M.C.A., Church Army, Salvation Army and Catholic institutes that these are built, furnished and maintained from patriotic funds.” The leaflet also points out that it has never been intended that patriotic funds are for the purpose of supplying individual comforts for the New Zealand forces overseas, the policy being to supply collective comforls in the form of recreation huts, band , clubs, cinemas, mobile canteens, subsidies to regimental funds, sports gear, libraries, writing materials and similar amenities.

It is also explained that through transport and other difficulties the three-monthly distribution of gift parcels cannot always be arranged, although they are packed quarterly and eve.ry endeavour is made to despatch them regularly. The- Board’s main items of expenditure are given briefly, including the grants made to the expending agents.. “It is of importance to the expending agents that the position should be clearly understood,” the Board’s

statement concludes, “for if through misunderstanding there should be a falling-off in patriotic contributions the scope of their splendid work for the Services would be affected.”