PATRIOTIC FUNDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 12

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

BOABD AND COUNCILS THE GOVERNMENT'S PART NO CONTROL OVER MONEY ASSERTION BY MINISTER [BY TIOTj liGRAI'H PIIESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday An emphatic denial that the Government is taking over the Red Cross organisation and funds in New Zealand was given by tho Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, in an interview, when a rumour to that olfect was referred to him. Tho Minister said there was absolutely nothing in the allegation. He added that tho Red Cross was a permanent body, which had existed for years, and which would continue to exist long after the present war. In so far as it was administering, in conjunction with tho Order of St. John, a, largo war fund raised during the last war, the patriotic purposes emergency regulations had no application to it, and that fund was still governed by tho War Funds Act, 1915. With regard to its activities in tho present war, tho society was, liko every other body in Now Zealand, subject to tho regulations, said Mr. Parry, and he had not the slightest doubt that full use would bo made of the magnificent organisation of this and other bodies. "This gives mo an opportunity," Mr. Parry continued, "of giving an emphatic denial to allegations that the Government is taking charge of patriotic funds. Tho National Patriotic Fund Board and tho Provincial Patriotic Councils are entirely autonomous bodies, each owning and controlling its own fund. Not one penny of these funds will come into the hands of the Government, nor will the Government have any voice in their expenditure. It is obvious, of course, that all theso bodies must work within the regulations, and it is only as tho authority issuing the regulations that the Government can in any way be said to exercise control." Tho inaugural meeting of the National Patriotic Council set up under tho patriotic purposes emergency regulations in connection with the administration of patriotic funds was held to-day.

DONATION REFUSED VOTE TO CLUB INSTEAD SHOW ASSOCIATION'S £IOO DISCUSSION IN HAMILTON [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday A proposal to vote £IOO to patriotic funds was defeated at a meeting of the executive of the Waikato Winter Show Association to-day, and an amendment that £IOO bo spent in providing comforts at the soldiers' club in the association's buildings was adopted. The original motion was proposed by the president, Mr. F. Bullock. Mr. R. English said he was prepared to contribute his share toward patriotic funds, but he objected to the Government handling the money. He considered men should bo conscripted for the war and others should bo made to pay their equal share toward the cost. Mr. F. A. Snell said he understood the Government was going to organise the patriotic funds. In any case, they would take the lot. A suggestion that Hamilton should be an independent centre for the administration of patriotic funds was made by Mr. J. R. Fow, who said that Auckland even objected to the opening of an imprest account in Hamilton. The fact that the Government was taking charge created a disturbing feeling which was not likely to help matters. He was dubious as to how the scheme would work out, but he thought the association should give a lead by making a substantial donation such as the president had suggested. Mr. W. Frascr said the regulations were designed to co-ordinate effort and to avoid overlapping and unauthorised collections. He questioned whether the adoption of the amendment would be legal. Mr. Bislcy, who moved the amendment, added a proviso that the gift be subject to its being not in conflict with the regulations. The amendment was declared adopted by 10 votes to 3.

FIRST STREET APPEAL NOVEMBER 24 FIXED The first street collection for patriotic purposes will be held on November 24. A statement to this effect was made by the president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. J. W. Kendall, at the quarterly meeting last night.