DISTRICT PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 317, 30 September 1940, Page 2

DISTRICT PATRIOTIC FUNDS

OUTSIDE FUNDS ASSISTED BURDEN ON LOCAL COMMITTEE In a timely leader, the Whakatario Beacon draws attention to the practice of people in country districts sending money to the big centres or to metropolitan newspapers instead of supporting their local appeals. Each district is usually allocated a certain amount for collection, but when country residents forward donations to the cities the effort to raise funds in the cities :'s eased while the country district committees have to put forth a bigger effort to try and raise their particular quotas. The “Beacon” pointed out that the Whakatane district failed (on paper) to attain its quota for the appeal for the sick and wounded. The Whakatane district quota was £4OOO but in reality only £1,200 was forwarded. Giving a practical example the “Beacon” says: “Soon there will be launched the appeal for the raising of funds for the rehabilitation of men returning from the war. No doubt lists will be started in all centres. The largo daily papers will co-operate and invite subscriptions. From all parts of the province the money will pour in. It will be easily seen however that the towns with the help of indiscriminate subscriptions from the country centres will quickly fulfil their quotas.”

As far as assistance for distress in London is concerned, the money required was made available immediately in New Zealand and forwarded to England. There is no need for Opotiki* residents to forward money to Auckland, as the Opotiki Patriotic Committee is commencing its campaign to raise, the Opotiki quota almost immediately and the Opotiki share of the New Zealand gift of £IOO,OOO will bo included in Opotiki’s effort. Residents are urged to support their local campaign and not made the work of the local committee harder than necessary.