FOR THE FIGHTING SERVICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 44, 22 February 1940, Page 4

FOR THE FIGHTING SERVICES

WANGANUI DISTRICT APPEAL 1 EVERYBODY TO BE ASKED FOR HELP Everybody in the Wanganui Patriotic district, from the Patea to 1 the Rangitikei River, and along the Main Trunk as far as Taihape, is to be asked to help swell the Fighting Services Welfare Fund. Plans to raise money are being made now and a central executive has been set up under the chairmanship of Lieut.Colonel F. K. Turnbull. Naturally, the first question asked is: “What is the fund for?” It is for New Zealand’s lighting forces in the present war, for their welfare, comfort and recreation. It is hoped to raise £lOO,OOO in New Zealand for those deserving causes. “And none of us would want it said that the city of Wanganui and the district failed to answer that appeal,” said Mr. Turnbull yesterday. The fund is to be administered by the New Zeaeland National Patriotic Fund ( Board and will be disbursed in grants for the work being carried out in the 1 camps, on troopships and wherever the troops may be located overseas. “Men are on active service, more are in camp waiting to sail, more will enlist from time to time,” Mr. Turnbull said. “They want, our help and the means for us to afford that help is at hand. New Zealand wants a fighting fund of £100,000.” “Through the medium of the Fighting Services Welfare Fund only can New Zealanders effectively provide these social and recreational services for the troops. Spheres of responsibility have been laid down so that there shall be no wasteful overlapping of effort. Money subscribed tm provincial funds is available. “The Fighting Services Welfare Fund serves the soldier from the moment of entering camp, throughout his service overseas or otherwise, and till his discharge.’ A meeting of the Wanganui executive was held yesterday, Mr. Turnbull presiding. There were also present Messrs. H. M. Keesing, J. P. Wells, J. Williams, T. S. Russell, F. H. Bethwaite, D. G. Strachan, C. S. Swan, D. G. O'Toole, B. R. Dobbs, Capt. C. Spillett, and Mr. A. L. Rounthwaite. Mr. Rounthwaite was appointed honorary secretary and Mr. Wells honorary treasurer and assistant-sec-retary. Messrs. Swan, Dobbs and Strachan were elected a publicity committee. Mr. Turnbull and Mr. Swan are to go to Marton to-night and coni act representatives of local bodies and so launch lhe campaign there. Activities in Taihape will come later and also in Waveriey. Mr. Dobbs reported that the Wanganui Savage Club is to take a korero party of between 30 and 40, including an orchestra, to Marton on Tuesday, March 5, and to Taihape on Saturday, March 9. Various women’s organisations are to be contacted a street appeal launched, a canvas of the city made, block by block, and all the large firms are to be visited. The Savage Club is to stage a big korero one night, and there is to be a community ning at mid-day on a suitable date.