PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 26 November 1943, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

SUGGESTIONS FOR RAISING MONEY LADY NEWALL GIFT BOOK Wellington, This Day. Various suggestions for raising patriotic funds were considered by the Dominion patriotic conference yesterday afternoon, after the proposals had been examined by a sub-committee. It was announced that a Lady Newall New Zealand Gift Book containing contributions from leading New Zealand writers was now in the press and that the proceeds would be devoted to patriotic funds. It was decided to refer to provincial councils for their consideration a special street system of raising funds used in Australia, particulars of which had been received from the New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr C. A. Berendsen. The sub-committee stated that in its opinion the scheme was a good one. Thg view was taken that the difficulty was too great of operating on a national basis a household collection box scheme submitted by Mr Peckston at the suggestion of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council. It was decided, however, to refer the proposal to provincial councils for independent action. It was announced that a special film production, “For Ever and a Day,” featuring Sir Cedric Hardwicke and a number of other eminent artists, would be screened throughout New Zealand, beginning ' Auckland about February next, and that 35 per cent, of the’film hire would be available for patriotic funds. No action was taken in regard to a proposal for an additional tax of 5 per cent, on totalisator investments. A recommendation by the sub-com-mittee that the Government be asked fc. approval of a £IO,OOO patriotic art union was adopted. Other recommendations approved were that the Government L j approached to grant each patriotic district an extra race day a year in aid of the patriotic funds, and that th Government be asked to reconsider its decision prohibiting the broadcasting of names of donors and their subscriptions in radio-telephone or similar appeals. It was also recommended that a letter be forwarded to the picture industry by the Patriotic Fund Board asking for its co-operation in a special patriotic effort in 1944. The sub-committee stated that it was unable to recommend a “Miss New Zealand” contest on a national basis.