PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Age, 4 July 1929, Page 7

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

AN OUTLINE OF ITS WORK. ADDRESS BY MR PRENTICE. At the Masterton Optimist Club luncheon held yesterday, Mr. A. E. Prentice gave an interesting address on the organisation and work of the Wairarapa Patriotic Society. Mr. Prentice stated that the fund actually started soon after the outbreak of wi’T, but was then known as the Wainamapa War Fund. In 1915 it was found that the work had increased to such an extent that a bigger organisation was formed and called the Wairarapu Patriotic Society, with branches in each town in tho Wairarapa. It was incorporated under the War Funds Act of 1915 and the Government exercised control over its activities.

Mr. Prentice gave figures illustrating the magnificent response of the people of the Wairarapa to the appeals made by the Society through various channels. He gave one instance of a flag auction which brought in the large sum of £38,000 in one hour. Th 6 huge sum of £218,000 had passed through the -Society, said Mr. Prentice. At present the fund stood at about £38,000, which was well invested. A large number of men had been assisted on to- farms, others for the purpose of buying implements, and for the purchase of homes. Mr. Prentice said that the soldiers assisted were with few exceptions doing well, and repayments were very high.

Mr. Prentice, in referring to the cost of administration of the society’s funds, said that in 14 years the total cost was only £6,173 which included rent, equipment and salaries. Interest had incroasod the fund by £19,500, so that the administrative expenses had not cost contributors a penny pieee. The w'ork at the office of the society covered a multitude of subjects, and there was no less than 400 files containing records in the office. Mr. Prentice paid a high tribute to tho memibers of the board 1 , who did their work most willingly. Mr. Prentice was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for hi§ most interesting address.