FURTHER £l00,000 FROM N.Z. FOR FUND TO AID DISTRESSED CHILDREN

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 May 1950, Page 4

FURTHER £l00,000 FROM N.Z. FOR FUND TO AID DISTRESSED CHILDREN

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA). —The Government's decision to contribute a further £lOO,OOO to the United Natiqps Children’s Emergency Fund for relief of suffering and distress among children, was annousced by the Prime Minister, Mr. Holland, today.

New Zealand gave £250,000 in 1948 and £lOO,OOO in 1949.

"In view of the situation disclosed in the recent survey of the country's finances, this grant has not bven lightly made,” said Mr. Holland, "but Cabinet felt it would not be the wish of the people of New Zealand to withhold assistance from such a deserving cause. The work of the fund embraces public health, maternal and child welfare, and the supply of food and clothing to children in necessitous circumstances in under-de-veloped countries, particularly in South-East Asia. At present it is providing feeding programmes for 6,000,000 children and mothers, and has given anti-tuberculosis vaccinations to 10,000,000 children.

“There are two additional aspects of our grant which are also important. The first is that the full amount be spent in New Zealand, at a rate to be regulated by the Government, on the provision of supplies and services to be despatched to areas in which the organisation is carrying on its work. In the past the principal supplies sent from New Zealand have been fish liver oil capsules, soap and milk products. "Part of the present contribution will be used to finance post-graduate training in New Zealand for nurses from countries in South-east Asia.

“The second important aspect is that for every pound contributed by New Zealand the United States Government will give a dollar equivalent of £2 10s, making a total of £3 10s. 'lt is interesting to note also,” said the Prime Minister, "that the United States gives a matching subsidy on Government contributions of other countries at a rate of 2.57 for every dollar equivalent thus contributed. This means, therefore, that the New Zealand contribution will attract over two and a-half times the equivalent amount in dollars from the United States. Thus the fund, under the matching arrangements, will receive the equivalent of ten dollars for every pound contributed by New Zealand. Our present contribution, therefore, will put the equivalent of a Million dollars at the disposal of the fund.

"As members of the United Nations Organisation we must accept not only the advantages of membership, but also the duties and responsibilities. The Government’s decision in this matter will, I am sure, meet with the whole-hearted approval of all sections of the community.”