HOW PATRIOTIC FUNDS ARE SPENT

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 78, 20 June 1941, Page 5

HOW PATRIOTIC FUNDS ARE SPENT

Explanation To Troops

HELP IN A VARIETY OF

WAYS

The value of subsidies from the National Patriotic Fund to regimental funds was emphasized by Brigadier J. Hargest, who left New Zealand in command of the second echelon, in a notice posted for the information of his troops, a copy of which has been received in the Dominion. This notice set out the many ways in which the men of the forced, though it was not always realized by them, were receiving the benefit of the funds subscribed on their behalf by the people of the Dominion. Its main object appears to have been to correct an impression, which existed among some of the men invalided back to New Zealand earlier, that the moneys raised were not being disbursed .for their benefit, and to make known ‘to them that the benefactions they had received from various institutions and clubs had been made possible through the funds subscribed by the New Zealand public and made available through the National Patriotic Fund Board.

All the societies and clubs had done and were doing a lot of good work, stated Brigadier Ilargest, and they merited praise, but in reality almost every penny spent on soldiers’ entertainment and comfort was found from the Patriotic Fund. When, for example, the Y.M.C.A. gave tea to the troops overseas, or the unit padre handed out a packet of cigarettes, the money to purchase them had been subscribed by the public of New Zealand, and paid into the Patriotic Fund Board, which authorized the Y.M.C.A. or the padre to spend the money. Without the sub scription in the first place, and the authority of Tie board, the gift could not tie forthcoming.

Spent For Comforts.

•Some of the best expended money t.from regimental funds, which are paid by the National Patriotic Fund Board’s overseas commissioner into the paymaster for the comfort of men in the lighting units," the notice proceeded. ••In the unit it is administered by a j committee, who, when conditions are difficult, when fresh fruit is needed or the men have a hard time and require an extra meal, simply provide it from this account One C.O. told me that re I cently in one week he had spent £ll in | this way—the most effective way of | directly helping the men from the subscriptions at home.” Brigadier Hargest also referred to rhe help received from the funds in the | provision of furnishings and other

fittings, for three reception hospitals which were opened in England to cater for slightly ill men when the general hospital left for overseas; in the provision of transport to enable visits to be made to New Zealanders who had been sent to scattered English hospitals for specialist treatment, and to enable the visitors to take comforts r a them ; for the maintenance of the clubs in London and Cairo for the New Zealand Forces, and for assistance given m other ways,' including the tending of graves of New Zealand soldiers and the erecting of temporary headstones till the care of the graves is taken over by the War Graves Division of the In ternal Affairs Department.

In England, stated Brigadier Hai gest, they were sure-that these graves would be well attended, but ;ri Cape Town and Durban the Commissioner had enlisted the assistance of New Zealand residents there, who had been deputed to attend to the graves and erect stones — simply but effective carrying the beautiful New Zealand fern 'leaf. In this way every person who had subscribed to the patriotic funds would pay his or her small tribute to the sacrifice of the soldier who slept so far from home.