PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24448, 6 November 1940, Page 8

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

BOARD’S SOLE CONTROL NO GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S .REVIEW An effective answer to criticism of inconsistency in the system adopted by the National Patriotic Fund Board ot which he is chairman, and a further assuiance that the. Government had no control whatever over patriotic funds, were given by the Governor-General. Viscount Galway, in an address to the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council yesterday. His Excellency emphasised that contributions to the National Patriotic Fund would be used solely for war pin poses, and that any surplus there 'might be at the end of the war would be apportioned in the interests of soldiers and their dependents as the National Board should decide. There was not an atom of foundation for suggestions that money collected for patriotic funds would eventually go to the Government. , , Lord Galway was introduced by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen), who is chairman of the Otago Patriotic Council. Mr Allen assured his Excellency that Otag had not been idle. So far it had contributed more than £60.000 to the joint Red Cross-St. John Ambulance appeal, there was about £44,000 in the general account, and it was hoped that more than £60,000 would result from the Queen Carnival for the rehabilitation of soldiers or assistance to their dependents. “I think we are doing our share.” he said.

No Inconsistency

After expressing warm appreciation of the wonderful work being done on behalf of the war effort from one end of the Dominion to the other. Lord Galway attacked any charges that had been made or might be made that the National Patriotic Fund Board was inconsistent. He said that at the beginning of the war. the Government decided to take advantage of the lessons taught bv the last war and to have the patriotic fund so organised that there would be no overlapping and that the maximum benefit would accrue from every Denny contributed. And so the National Patriotic Fund Board came into being. “I would emphasise once again” he said, “that all of the money contributed to the Patriotic Fund will be handled solely by that board. The Government has no control whatever over the administration of 'that money. It is purely a matter for the board, and the money will be used entirely for the war effort. If there is any left at the end of the war, it will be divided up for rehabilitation or any other purpose resulting from the war that the board might decide.” To support his statement that the board had been consistent in the way in which funds had been collected, Lord Galway reviewed the development of the collecting campaign. In the first place, it was thought essential that a central fund should be built up, even if some of the provinces thought at that stage that they were being starved for funds. The provision of comforts for the men who were mobilised early could not at that time be delegated to provincial councils. The board’s second appeal was much more successful than the first, and £IOO,OOO was raised to provide for the comfort of troops during their training. Then there was the Red Cross appeal, which was highly successful.

“After that foundation had been laid,” his Excellency went on, “it was decided that it was time to put as much of the campaign as possible in the hands of the provincial councils.

"It was necessary to centralise In the first instance to keep pace with the early mobilisation and to get the echelons on the move; but as soon as that was done the provinces were given every chance to look after their own men. The point I wish to make is that that decision to centralise was quite consistent. It was not made because centralisation was attempted and failed. “We cannot know now all the problems that will have to be faced, and it would be unthinkable for one province's scale of benefits to be larger than another’s. It was difficult enough after the last war, and it must be realised that it will be even more difficult this time.” Now Working Smoothly The national board did not propose to make any further specific appeals for funds, Lord Galway continued. As and when it required more money, calls would be made on the provincial funds. It would have been noticed, he added, that the overhead charges in the first year’s workings had been kept down to the minimum, for which great credit was due to the generosity of so many helpers. The national machine was now working as smoothly as could be wished. After paying a tribute to the work of the women who were collecting, packing, and sending overseas so many parcels, his Excellency expressed regret that this was his last visit to Dunedin. At the same time, he thought this was the best time to make the change in the Governor-Generalship. The Vrar effort was progressing smoothly, and his successor would have time to settle down and prepare for the post-war difficulties. “I thank the members of this council and everybody else who is working so hard.” he concluded. “We can look ahead in the confidence that everything nossible is being done for the welfare of our soldiers overseas and after their return to New Zealand.” On the motion of Mr J. J. Marlow, Lord' Galway was thanked fpr his address. Misunderstandings had arisen. Mr Marlow said, but his Excellency had done much to clear them away. His assurance of uniformity in assistance throughout the Dominion was particularly welcome.