H—22

A large number of inquiries have been received, and it is evident that the idea of commemorating those who made the supreme sacrifice in the recent war by the erection of " living " memorials is widely accepted throughout the country. An informal committee comprising specialists in community planning, communitycentre work, architecture, and physical welfare and recreation has been set up. This committee will act in an advisory capacity, and is also preparing, for the guidance of interested local authorities, a publication to show the latest trends in communitycentre designs and the possibilities in New Zealand. There can be no static definition of a community centre and each proposal must be thoroughly investigated in the light of local conditions. It is hoped that by co-operation between the Government and local authorities concerned it will be possible to erect, where it is desired by the local people, a community-centre memorial which will be a worthy and a living reminder of those who died and the ideals for which they sacrificed their lives. XVHI. RACING For the current racing year ending on 31st July, 1947, the allocation of totalizator licences is again at the maximum of 240 days for racing and hunt clubs and 80 days for trotting clubs. Non-totalizator permits for meetings on 146 days have been issued for the year ended 31st March, 1947. Inspectors of the Department have attended all totalizator meetings to ensure compliance with the law regarding the operation of the totalizator. Investments at these meetings have continued to increase, and a number of clubs are faced with the necessity of providing more adequate facilities for their patrons. Particulars of these investments and details of the taxation thereon are published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. The Koyal Commission appointed to inquire into all aspects of gaming and racing in New Zealand commenced taking evidence and was still sitting at the end of the year. XIX. WAR FUNDS, 1914-18 The war funds established under the War Funds Act, 1915, now number 50, a decrease since the previous report of 2 funds by exhaustion of their assets. The latest figures recorded are summarized as follows : £ s. d. 23 incorporated societies .. .. .. 240,973 17 7 7 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. 49,196 7 0 2 Blind Soldiers and Veterans' Houses Funds .. 66,868 8 9 11 unincorporated societies .. .. .. 6,930 8 3 6 returned soldiers'clubs .. .. .. 19,894 13 11 1 National War Funds Council .. .. .. 75,443 14 8 £459,307 10 2 XX. ADVERTISING OFFICE Newspaper advertising is recorded at a total cost of £97,215 14s. 6d., as compared with the previous year's figure of £51,869 18s. The increase of £45,345 16s. 6d. is largely accounted for by Famine Emergency Committee advertising £32,423 18s. 3d., electoral advertising £2,198 12s. Bd., and increases in Agriculture, Air, Economic Information Service, Land and Income Tax, Mental Hospitals, Navy, Post and Telegraph, Public Service Commission, Works, Railways, State Hydro-electric, Tourist, Transport, and War Assets Realization advertising. Press cuttings supplied to Ministers of the Crown, Government Departments, and overseas posts averaged 3,750 weekly, as compared with 3,400 weekly the previous year. 3—H 22

25