Plane Fund Near £2000 After 2 Weeks

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1940, Page 8

Plane Fund Near £2OOO After 2 Weeks

12-3® Total: £>lß6s 18*4 SECOND WEEK OF THE NORTHLAND PLANE FUND AND THE TQTAL STANDS AT £1865/18/4. Included in this total is £lO7/10/- forwarded by the “North Auckland Times” and made up of Northern Wairoa donations.

In addition to this Hokianga funds, not tallied with the “Advocate” fund total, exceeds £289. The average is certainly keeping up well. ■Small contributions are pouring in, donations from everyday people who appreciate their freedom and see in the Fighter Fund a means of expressing gratitude to the men of the British R.A.F. for the part they are playing in defending it. As Mr. Rodney Coates said at the patriotic executive meeting last night, the Fighter Fund is a splendid gesture. The “Five Bob” boxes yesterday—one on the “Advocate” counter and the other at the Bargain Stores, totalled £7/10/- at the end of the day. Five shillings might seem a small sum in itself, but, as the boxes demonstrated, they soon mount up. Best thanks to the many people who added their contributions in response to the "Five Bob” appeal. A social in the Ivirikopuni and Tangiteroria districts netted splendid results. Enthusiasm ran high and the grand result was £3O for the Fighter Fund.

The Right Spirit. It was a splendid effort and shows just what can be done when the spirit is willing. Similarly the school children of Otaika had the right spirit when they took up a collection for the Fighter Fund. Their shillings and sixpences mounted up well and the total receipts from their effort was £1 1/6. Par,akao can have no excuses for lagging behind. Someone in the district sent £2 today. Their nom-de-plume was “Here’s a Start—Parakao.”

5000 4750 4500 4250 4000 3750 3500 3250 3000 2750 ' 2500 2250 1500 1250 ICOO 750 500 250 START SEPT. 2.

Here’s hoping that the start will be followed up. A contribution from David Wilson Ltd. and staff amounted to £7, Captain D. Wilson adding another £5 to the contribution.

Lovatt and Sons added their contribution to the Fighter Fund by sending a cheque for £25. Best thanks to these generous donors.

“Father of an Airman” is not content to offer his son in the defence of the Empire. He wants to assist further, to strain every endeavour and accordingly sent a contribution of 10/3 to the fund. The fund is certainly growing. But with the time limit half-expired, no effort can be too great to ensure the objective being reached by September 30. More Still Wanted. If Northland’s Fighter Plane—duly christened and flown by a New Zealand airman—is to take the air in defence of England and all tb.at she symbolises, over £2500 must be raised in Northland within the next fortnight. Northland has entered on this task voluntarily. The Northland fighter scheme was born in the heart of Northland with the suggestion first mooted at Kauri. Let Northland support it to the full.

First fortnight contributions have been splendid, school children and grandmothers have given, business firms have made donations in appreciation of the security the R.A.F. is ensuring them, and country districts have sponsored collections and functions to raise money for the expressed purpose of purchasing a Northland plane for the R.A.F. Don’t slacken the pressure. Give as you have never given before. In the concluding fortnight let the Fighter Plane Fund soar as the Spitfires and Hurricanes do for the protection of the Mother Land which is the heart of our Empire.

Russia’s Interests The Vice-Commissar of Foreign Affairs (M. Vishynsky) has informed the German Ambassador at Moscow that Russia could not remain indifferent to Danubian questions, and must participate in all decisions on such matters, says a Moscow cable.