PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25240, 1 June 1943, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

WIDESPREAD MISUNDERSTANDING DUNEDIN-ST. KILDA SUB-ZONE MEETING Misunderstandings in regard to the use of patriotic funds were discussed at the fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin-St. Kilda Sub-zone Patriotic Committee yesterday. The matter was raised by Mrs A. A. Fairbairn, who said that too many people thought that the War Expenses Account and the Patriotic Fund were for the same purpose. People were willing to give donations to the Sick and Wounded and Prisoners of War/ Funds, but would not give to the Patriotic Fund, she said. Members expressed dissatisfaction at the use of the word “ patriotic ” and the general opinion was that “ collecting for patriotic purposes ’’ was too vague a termpeople preferred to support a specific object. The chairman (Mr A. C. Cameron) said that many people did not have a good word for the patriotic fund., There was appalling ignorance everywhere regarding this fund. For instance, the money for the Joint Council of St. John and the Red Cross was provided from patriotic funds, as were most of the amenities in camps. In New Zealand .camps alone £40,000 had been spent on writing paper. Others present at the meeting were Mesdames Douglas Barton, Dora Smeaton, Gerald L. Ferguson, J. H. McDougall, A. J. H. Gregory, T. D. Christenson, Miss Joyce Thomson, Messrs Charles Smith, N. D. Anderson, G. W. Lane, W. R. Sinclair, W. G. Kindley, James Hogg, J. Caldwell, A. E. Russell, A. Duncan, M. F. O’Sullivan, Arthur Barnett, G. Adess, H. Harris, and Dr W. Newlands. Analysis of Donations., The following analysis of donations received to May 27 was given by the chairman: Dunedin Savings Bank, £2000; Dunedin City Council, £1000; Otago Harbour Board, £350; Dug-out, concert, etc., £376; business ■ houses, £11.670; staff donations, £463; 538 individual donations, £8465; total, £24,324. Individual donations had been received as follows: Three of £250 (£750), one of £2OO (£200), 13 of £IOO (£1500), one of £75 (£75), two of £6O (£120), 28 of £SO (£1400), 70 of from £2O to £4O (£1430), . 426 of under £2O (£2990); total. £8465. General It ,was reported that a request for active support had been made to the Returned Services’ Association, the executive of which was giving the matter consideration. The chairman reported that neither the City Council nor the National Council of Churches had yet been approached regarding Sunday night entertainment.—lt was decided to ask the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council for its support in the matter. Reporting, on the Joint Council street day appeal, Mr Smih said that, with a £4O donation from the community sing and a cheque for £25 from Mr and Mrs Philip Barling, the total was £3BOO. He desired to thank all those who had assisted in this effort. Mr O’Sullivan paid a tribute to the untiring efforts of all these who had assisted with the “ Hullo Victory ” revue. It was stated that Mr W. Lints, the producer, had received a fee of £75.' The chairman said that the secondary and primary school teachers were organising a street day, which they wished to hold on July 30. The Dug-out would be open, and badges would also be sold. A Taierl farmer had offered 200 bags of swedes, carrots, and parsnips to be s&ld that day.—The date w’as approved. It was reported that a letter had been sent to the Otago Regional Committee of the National Council of Churches asking if it would undertake to raise £6OOO towards Dunedin’s quota.—lt was decided to send a similar letter to the administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese.