PATRIOTIC BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 277, 23 November 1945, Page 6

PATRIOTIC BOARD

WORK PRAISED BY THE PRIME MINISTER (P. A.) Wellington, Nov. 22 “I cannot find words to express my appreciation of the gratitude for what has been done bv the National Patriotic Fund Board and those associated with it," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, to-day, opening the eighth Dominion patriotic conference held since the war began. Mr. Fraser said that next to the enthusiasm of the fighting men, he knew of nothing that gave more satisfaction than the way in which the patriotic effort was organised and the manner in which money was raised and con« trolled. Not only had a great job been done during the war, but a basis had been established for any future organisation that might be required. Mr. Fraser said the provincial patriotic councils had raised nearly £6,000000 and had assisted the Patriotic Fund Board in raising another £2,000000. The board Tiaa handled more than £8,000,000, including money contributed by the councils. The present balance was just over £2,000 000. This compared with £4,866.520 collected for patriotic funds in the Great War, with £1,500,000 remaining when that war ended. In the Great War there were 600 different bodies, and obviously they were unable to work as well as had the organisation set up in 1939.

Mr. Fraser said that proposals apparently agreed to by the Canteen Funds Board, the National Patriotic Fund Board, the R.S.A. and others interested for amalgamating the national patriotic funds and lhe canteen funds for future use seemed to him to be eminently suitable.

The Minister of‘lnternal Affairs, Mr. Parry, said what had been done for New Zealand service pei'sonnel was famous the world over. The chairman of the conference, Mr. B. J. Jacobs, said that post-war welfare work would deal with men and women as individuals, not. in a mass, and for that reason some completely co-ordinated scheme was essential. BALANCE OF £2,554,818 A statement tabled at the annual conference of Dominion patriotic fund representatives held to-day, shows that patriotic funds have a balance of £2,554,818, of which the provincial councils have £1467,758 and the National Patriotic Fund Board holds £l, 087,059, of which £485,747 represents investments. The national board’s receipts totalled £8,139,417 and expenditure £7,538,104, leaving a balance of £601,312. The statement of accounts for the year ended September 30 disclosed that goods to the value of £249 936 have been sent overseas, not including goods sent to the N.Z. Forces Club, Cairo, and supplied to camps and stations in the Dominion. The financial statement was adopted. The conference is proceeding.