The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1942. National Patriotic Funds

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1942, Page 2

The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1942. National Patriotic Funds

THOUGH New Zealand has expended a very large sum from patriotic funds raised for war work, it is safe to say that a large section of the public are unaware of the methods by which the funds have been raised or the manner in which they have been distributed.

There is a commonly held opinion that the Y.M.C.A., Red Cross, Church Army, Salvation Army, Catholic War Services, etc., have spent out of their own pockets the money they have devoted to the fine work done. That is not the case. These organisations have been financed by the National Patriotic Fund Board, which, in turn, has obtained its funds from the people of the Dominion.

The organisations are doing a “fine job of work,” to use a phrase that has passed into common use, and there will be none to withhold recognition or appreciation of the splendid services rendered. At the same time, it is due to the people who have contributed to patriotic funds that there should be removed any fear that their contributions are not benefiting the service men and women for whose aid and succour they have been raised. This fear has doubtless been created in some minds by letters in which soldiers have complained that while the Y.M.C.A., the Salvation Army and other organisations have provided them with much valued gifts and help, they have not received anything from the National Patriotic Fund Board. These statements have no doubt been made in good faith, for though it is a fact that there is displayed in every hut or othqr headquarters of patriotic service a card stating that the hut has been erected with funds received from the National Patriotic Fund Board, it is quite likely that many soldiers have not assimilated that information. In the same way, the gifts, other than those sent the troops by relatives and friends, have been financed by the National Patriotic Fund Board, or, in other words, by the people of the Dominion.

In view of the fact that an appeal is being made for a million pounds with which to meet the ever-increasing demands occasioned by the war, it is well that these facts, as well as the constitution and operation of the National Patriotic Fund Board, should be widely known. The people will gladly give to the utmost’ of their capacity in order to show in some small degree their appreciation of the services of the men who are assisting to defend the Empire as well as their homeland, but they naturally want assurance that their contributions serve the purpose for which they are made.

The constitution of the board may be summarised in this way: The National Patriotic Fund Board has set up ien provincial councils—Auckland, Taranaki, East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson/ Westland. Canterbury. Otago and Southland. The provincial councils have set up zone committees, which in turn have constituted interzone committees, and these have set up community committees. So far as Northland is concerned, interzone committees have been set up in the following counties: Mangonui, Whangaroa, Tlokianga, Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Hobson and Otamatea. The county zones have been divided into the following community areas: Wairua, Maungakaramea and Mangapai, Kiripaka, Hikurangi and Otonga, lVfaunu, Mangakahia, Waipu. Manaia, Whangarei borough, Hikurangi town district, Kamo town district and Onerahi town district. It will therefore he seen that a pyramid has been constructed, as a result of which each Northland community is enabled to provide an equitable share of the quota Auckland Province must make to the National Patriotic Fund Board. The National Board has allocated to the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council the task of raising £500,000 of the £1,000,000 which is to be collected during the next 14 months. Northland Zone’s share of Auckland Province’s half a million is £57.500. This has been allocated to the community committees as follows: Wairua. £1207; Maungakaramea and Mangapai, £2414; Kiripaka, £1006; Hikurangi and Otonga, £2214: Maunu, £1811; Mangakahia, £1006; Waipu, £1610; Manaia, £1006; Whangarei Borough. £6846; Hikurangi Town District. £402; Kamo Town District, £402; Onerahi Town District. £2Ol.

It is clear, from the outline given, that the constitution of the National Patriotic Board, which is separate and apart from the Government of the Dominion, allows of the representation of every constituent district, and if there should be difference of opinion regarding the administration of funds, the voice of a dissentient committee can be heard. In this way contributors to the national funds may be assured that their interests, as well as those of the troops for whom the mjoney is intended to be used, are safeguarded as far as possible in difficult circumstances. It may be thought by some people that the objective set by the National Patriotic Fund Board for the present year is somewhat extravagant, but Mr. L. O. Hall, when giving the Rotary Club, at its weekly luncheon yesterday, a most enlightening review of the raising and distribution of patriotic funds, emphasised that there are good and valid reasons for the national board’s decision. He pointed out that the board’s budget for the year shows that £1,000,000 is required. Of this the Auckland provincial share is 31.775 per cent. An accepted percentage, worked out by zone secretaries on the mean of population and valuation, shows the following position : Auckland Province: 31.775 per cent, of the Dominion requirements. Northland Zone: 11.5 per cent, of the provincial requirement. Whangarei Interzone: 35 per cent, of the zone requirement. Whangarei Borough: 34 per cent, of the interzone requirement.

That, Mf. Hall said, explains in a very simple manner how the amounts required from the different areas are determined. The people of Northland, we are sure, will appreciate the facts given, and respond handsomely to the appeal which is to be made.