PLANES FOR BRITAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24348, 12 July 1940, Page 6

PLANES FOR BRITAIN

r ;SOUTHLAND'S SUGGESTION GOVERNMENT'S APPRECIATION <Per United Press Association) •:. INVERCARGILL, July 11. Appreciation of the spirit of patriotism prompting the suggestion for the opening of subscription lists for the purchase by New Zealand of fighter planes for Britain has been expressed by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. The suggestion was made a short time ago in Southland, and'Mr Fraser has now sent the following message to the Southland Times in reply to a request for '' Government approval:— " The splendid spirit of patriotism and generosity shown by the proposal to appeal for funds for the purchase of aeroplanes for presentation to the United Kingdom Government is greatly appreciated by the Government. I trust, however, it will be realised by you and those'associated.with you that the moneys subscribed for this purpose will not, in fact, have the very desiiv able result of actually adding to the total of the air strength for the reason that the Empire and other factories and ammunition works are already at full capacity. Nevertheless, the voluntary contribution of funds will in itself be still further evidence of the urtional determination .to prosecute -the wSr to a. successful conclusion, and the Government will be pleased to facilitate the making of contributions. I would like to point out that, under the patriotic purposes emergency regulations, this is. a patriotic purpose, and the only bodies authorised to appeal to the public are the National Patriotic Fund Bo:rd and the various provincial Patriotic Councils. I am immediately communicating with the National Patriotic Fund Board and the National Prtriotic Council urging them to take up the existing proposals in this direction, and. where'necessary, co-opt for the purposes of this particular effort the services of citizens in various parts of New Zealand who have taken the initirtive in suggesting that aeroplanes or other armaments should be provided." , ■, , • Almost £IOOO wss subscribed in Southland to-night following the receipt of Mr Fraser's reply.