FUNDS FOR PATRIOTIC PURPOSES

Southland Times, Issue 24115, 2 May 1940, Page 8

FUNDS FOR PATRIOTIC PURPOSES

PART PLAYED BY RETURNED SOLDIERS

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 1.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association opened in the Banquet Hall at the Exhibition today. The Governor-Gen-eral (Lord Galway) asked for the support of returned men in raising funds for patriotic purposes. The Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) himself a returned soldier, asked them to do everything to stimulate recruiting. Mr R. Robb, president of the New South Wales branch of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia, pointed out how the association could help the men now serving and prepare the way for their reabsorption into civil life when the war was over.

The president, the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., welcomed the three speakers and also Mr E. V. Raymond, Federal Secretary of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia. In addressing the conference Lord Galway mentioned the work of the Patriotic Board, reiterating that it had nothing to do with politics and was completely independent in its activities, although working in sympathy and friendship with the Government. It felt that the Dominion’s war effort should be made as practical as possible. He , asked delegates to tell their branches that the board could not carry on without generous contributions to the fund. The money raised would be used for war purposes only and when the war was over the money in hand would be used for those who had served the country. Mr Hislop said New Zealand could not “go easy” on the war effort because the enemy would go on relentlessly. No New Zealander, he said, would want to shelter behind others. In thanking the Mayor, Mr Perry mentioned that the disabled soldiers’ stall at the Exhibition was going to show a handsome profit. At the close of Mr Robb’s speech, Mr Raymond thanked the New Zealanders for the hospitality that had been extended to the Australian delegates.