THE £1,000.000 APPEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24836, 9 February 1942, Page 4

THE £1,000.000 APPEAL

The method of collection of patriotic funds in this war, as compared with the multifarious and somewhat indiscriminate calls on the public made in that of 1914-18, means that the individual is considerably less harassed by demands on his generosity. It should, indeed, be quite a simple matter for him to budget to meet the requests which will be made by the Patriotic Council in his district. He is alreadf informed of the sum of the requirements of the fund, both nationally and in his provincial area. And acknowledging that the obligation upon him to contribute as liberally as he may to the 'all-purposes fund cannot be denied, he has the opportunity to fix in advance of the direct approaches that will be made to him the amount of his year’s contribution to it. Provided both heart and head are consulted in the personal and private assessments of the members of the public of their capacity to give to a cause that must excite their most generous sympathies, there should be no fear that the expectations of the Patriotic Fund authorities will be disappointed. The amount which will be required to satisfy even the minimum requirements is very large, as the secretary of the board reveals in a statement that we print this morning. Without making provision for assistance to returning soldiers-r—----an important phase of its work—the board estimates that it will spend £1,000,000 in 1942 upon immediate and necessary activities. This is a sum that cannot be obtained without the self-sacrificing collaboration of the entire New Zealand community, and a survey of the purposes for which the money is intended convinces that every penny of 'it is needed The extent of the demands upon patriotic 1 funds rises directly from the increasing extent to'which the men of New Zealand are making their contribution to the waging of the war and the defence of their country. General mobilisation is makipg ever more new soldiers, who are entitled to th 4 enjoyment of amenities in camp and at their stations, which they cannot be expected to provide from army pay. The duty upon the board to supply comforts for the men Overseas, in the present zones of war, is also extending. The provision of parcels for prisoners has become a big task in itself, and one which must rank very high in the regard of all who have a proper sense of gratitude to soldiers now placed in unfortunate circumstances. In the coming months, when ample opportunity will be given the public to subscribe to the patriotic cause which must make a first claim on their generosity, citizens will no doubt have ever in mind the excellent object of the appeals that are launched, and there must be a determination, both in this district, where £• 150,000 is wanted, and throughout the country, that the . £1,000,000 mark will be reached.