PATRIOTIC EFFORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23479, 17 October 1939, Page 13

PATRIOTIC EFFORTS

PAKEHA AND MAORI WORK ENTERTAINMENT OF MEN APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES ft [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday Tho organisation of patriotic activities in Hamilton was inaugurated today, when a largely-attended meeting of representatives of women's organisations was held. The Mayor, Mr. H. D. Caro, presided, and .said that committees were required to organise a soldiers' club in Hamilton and entertainments at the Hopuhopu camp, to arrange for the billeting of men during periods of convalescence after hospital treatment, and to collect patriotic funds. The Mayor mentioned that money would bo advanced by the Borough Council for urgent needs pending the collection of funds. A large executive wis elected, after which tho Mayor retired, and Mrs. Caro presided. Mrs. D. I. Gate and Mrs. W, M. Huntington were elected joint honorary secretaries. Mrs. H. C. Boss, Mrs. N. E. Blomfield, Mrs. C. H. Hollowav and Miss ]). Menzies were elected delegates to tho main Hamilton Patriotic Committee, and several sub-committees were appointed. The Rev. H. J. Lilburn to arrange with the Ministers' Association and the chaplains' department for the billeting of soldiers requiring hospitality. A Maori sub-centre of the New Zealand Bed Cross under the presidency of Princess To Puea Herangi has been formed at Ngaruawabia with the object of collecting funds for patriotic purnoses. This is tho first entirely Maori branch of the Bed Cross ever to have been formed. Already there arc some 250 members, at a membership fee of 2s (3d. The patron is King Koroki, the honorary secretary is Mr. Brown Wauwliero, and there is also an executive committee of five. With the idea of making the branch a Waikato-wide movement, each group of Maoris in the area has the right to appoint a vicepresident. In, order to augment the funds Te Puea ha? departed from her custom of keeping the pa closed to visitors, and from now until the end of the war visitors will be admitted on payment of a fee.