GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24630, 11 June 1941, Page 6

GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS

WORK OF PATRIOTIC BOARD SOURCE OF FUNDS EXPLAINED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 10. The value of subsidies from the National Patriotic Fund to regimental funds was emphasised by Brigadier J. Hargest,' who left New Zealand in command of the second, echelon, in a notice posted .for the information of his troops, a copy of which has been received in the Dominion. The notice set out the many ways in which the men of the forces, although not always realised by them, were receiving benefit from the funds subscribed on- their behalf by the people. Its main object appears, to have been to correct an impression which existed among some men invalided back to New Zealand earlier that the moneys raised were not being disbursed for their benefit, and to make known to them the fact that the benefactions they had received from various institutions and clubs had been made possible through funds subscribed by the New Zealand public and made available through the National Patriotic Fund Board. All societies and clubs had done and were doing a lot of good work, stated Brigadier Hargest, and -hey merited praise; but in reality inmost every penny spent on the soldier's entertainment and ori his comfort was found from the patriotic fund. When, for example, the Y.M.C.A. gave a tea to the troops overseas or a unit padre handed out a: packet of cigarettes, the money to purchase them had been subscribed by the public of New Zealand and paid ynto. the Patriotic Fund Board, which authorised'the Y.M.C.A. or the padre to spend the money. Without subscription in the first;. place and the"authority of the board, a gift could not be forthcoming.