CONTROL OF FUNDS

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3663, 3 February 1940, Page 7

CONTROL OF FUNDS

PATRIOTIC MONEY FOR FORCES DIFFERENCES OF OPINION There has been some difference of opinion in New Zealand concerning the method of raising patriotic funds for the troops, and the position is the same to a degree in Australia. Commonwealth and State representatives at a conference recently could not agree on the control of patriotic funds raised for the fighting forces, states a Melbourne report. Most of the States opposed a Commonwealth plan to take charge of funds raised by organisations of an Australia-wide character. Although the Commonwealth has powers to take over all such funds, the Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) said he would discuss the question again, with Cabinet. The State's attitude was based on fears that Commonwealth control would destroy local enthusiasm in patriotic appeals. Mr Menzies said that the Commonwealth's proposal was not to interfere with patriotic funds generally, but that the Commonwealth should regulate those with an. Aus-tralia-wide organisation. Interstate bodies like the Red Cross should be under a uniform control and not subject to varying State regulations.

The Tasmanian Treasurer (Mr Dwyer-Gray) said he had asked the Prime Minister to promulgate regulations under the National Security Act to give Tasmania the necessary powers to control patriotic funds. He restricted his request to the minimum powers set out in legislatiom which was rejected by the Tasmanian Upper House. "The Tasmanian Government has no power to control funds," he added, "and I asked the Prime Minister to confer powers on those States which had no legislation."