APPEAL FOR PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21043, 20 February 1940, Page 4

APPEAL FOR PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Mr W. E. Parry’s reply to the Otago Patriotic Committee, that the regulations make it legal for the patriotic committees to build up a fund for the future needs of soldiers, is of interest to those connected with the work of organising patriotic funds. The Otago committee considers it is desirable to make some provision for assistance to soldiers when they return, as it may be found necessary to supplement their military pensions. In his reply Mr Parry added the opinion that the ‘‘urgent need appears to be for the provision of comforts overseas.”

The initial difficulty appears to be, however, that there will not be sufficient funds to provide for even meagre immediate needs, without regard for the distant future. For reasons not yet satisfactorily explained the public of New Zealand has shown a remarkable lack of interest in the provision of funds. The national fund is extraordinarily poor by comparison with the generous giving early in the last war. There seems to be a general disposition to leave to the State the duty of providing for all the needs of the soldiers, since the State has become the almost universal provider in many other spheres of activity. But while the State provides the essentials, the soldiers have to do without many of the more personal comforts that no government ever provides.

After being more or less in recess over the holiday period the Hamilton committee is now renewing its efforts to raise money, and it is hoped that with a realisation of the need the response will be generous. Every week the need becomes greater. The first echelon is now on active service in a climate that makes comforts particularly desirable. More men are going into the training camp and the volume of the committees’ work is assuming very large proportions. Admittedly there are many calls upon the public’s generosity, but this is one direction in which a special sacrifice is thoroughly justified. Any degree of tardiness on the part of the people of New Zealand means that the volunteer soldiers will do without something which they might otherwise have had.