MILLION POUNDS WANTED

Southland Times, Issue 24238, 23 September 1940, Page 7

MILLION POUNDS WANTED

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR POST-WAR CARE OF MEN The collection of funds for national and provincial patriotic purposes is now the function of the .11 provincial patriotic councils which, since soon after the war began, have been operating throughout the Dominion, together with the National Patriotic Fund Board. Up till now the provincial councils have left the field fairly clear for the National Board because of the need for a strong national fund to meet the cost of the provision of recreation huts at the ca m P 3 home defence stations. The board has had the main responsibility of looking after the welfare of all members or the fighting services who go overseas from the Dominion. In this work the board has had the co-operation of the provincial councils, which, too, nave made appeals to the public from tune to time to assist in providing amenities and entertainment for the men in camp and in stations in their districts and to help them fill their quotas of parcels sent away to each soldier overseas under the national scheme.

PROVINCIAL APPEALS ONLY The National Patriotic Fund is not fading out of the picture; it is to continue to function, but from now on, in place of the separate appeals of the past year by the National Patriotic Fund Board and the provincial councils, the campaign for funds is entirely the function of the provincial councils which, in addition to finding sufficient funds to meet their own needs, will also supply the requirements of the National Fund. Under this system the provincial councils are embarking upon a campaign to raise £1,000,000. That is a big sum, but the responsibilities of the provincial councils are not light if all the men from this country who have answered the Empire’s call are to be looked after in the way they deserve to be.

The goal has been made £l,oooiooo not only to provide for the men. while they are on active service, but in the main to establish funds with which to assist them to rehabilitate themselves on their return and to provide some measure of financial relief to them and their dependants where it is necessary. That is an important function, and one which, necessary and important as is the work of looking after the welfare and comfort of the troops during the war, the patriotic organization in this country conceives as its greatest responsibility to discharge faithfully and well. The aim is not to amass a huge sum and provide assistance for returned men on a permanent basis. That is not the responsibility of the Patriotic Board or the councils. Inevitably, however, there will be cases where some measure of financial assistance is necessary for a time for men on their return and their dependants, and funds will be required to bridge this gap. THE SOLDIER’S CONTRIBUTION

In the light of this great objective therefore the goal of £1,000,000 appears in its truer perspective. Heavy as are the calls on the community, the conference of secretaries of the provincial patriotic councils in Wellington last week felt that too much was not being asked of the Dominion as a whole to get in behind this big campaign and give their support to it to the maximum of their capacity. If all will do that the campaign will be the success that the sacrifice the men of the forces are making for those they have left behind in this country merits. After all, no monetary contribution is greater in value than the contribution that is made by service for country and Empire. It is also of interest that the sum of £1,000,000 was not arrived at in any summary way, but on estimates of results provincial councils consider it should be possible to achieve in their own districts. These provincial councils themselves already have shown a fine sense of the fitness of things and a worthy example by their co-operation with the National Patriotic Fund Board in the prompt response that was made by the transmission of £lOO,OOO for the relief of distress caused by the German air raids on London.

Already, in each of the provinces, there is no lack of evidence of solid public backing of this gesture. To enable them to discharge their responsibilities to the men the fighting forces and their dependants, the provincial councils look forward to a continuance of that public support and enthusiasm for the great causes which they have been entrusted to sponsor on behalf of the nation. The goal is £1,000,000, and every effort will be made by the provincial councils towards its achievement. As the campaign gathers full way, various fund-raising methods will be. employed. All will be able to play a part. All are asked to play a part, and if that is done there will be no doubt about the £1,000,000 objective being reached. This is the biggest goal that has been placed before New Zealanders yet in the form of a campaign for funds, but already in this war the people of this country have shown that they are capable of big tasks. They are not likely to let down, the men who have gone from these shores to fight in the cause of Empire, in the cause of right, and all that British people the world over hold as decent and worth while.