INQUIRY URGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23769, 24 September 1940, Page 6

INQUIRY URGED

THE WAR FUNDS RED CROSS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL COMPLAINS OTHER NEEDS AFFECTED Complaints that the New Zealand Red Cross Society was continuing to collect funds specifically for the relief of the sick and wounded, in spite of the large sum already raised for this purpose, were made at last night's meeting of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council, and a motion was carried asking for a Government inquiry into these and other activities, which were considered to be in contravention of tiie patriotic funds regulations. ' In reporting on the recent conference of provincial council secretaries in Wellington, j\lr. K. L. Usmar said the matter had been discussed there and dissatisfaction had been expressed. Mr. W. Jones, of Whangarei, said that in his zone those who were working for the provincial fund were also dissatisfied, and felt that the continued activities of the Red Cross in this direction were definitely hampering their own efforts.

The chairman, Sir Ernest Davis, said the matter would only bo cleared up by the appointment of a Government commission of inquiry. Mr. .T. A. C. Allum suggested that if such a commission were set up it should go into the whole question of the collecting of funds outside the regulations. On the motion of Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. H. G. Caro, of Hamilton, it was decided to recommend the national council that an endeavour be made to have an inquiry undertaken by a commission into the raising of funds for patriotic purposes, with particular reference to the Red Cross.