HONOURING OF TROOPS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 296, 21 April 1941, Page 5

HONOURING OF TROOPS

FAREWELL COMMITTEE MEETS

NO ALTERATION IN FUNCTION

The fact that the Whakatane and District Soldiers' Farewell Committee has difficulty in procuring ;i supply of Eversharp pencils for presentation io soldiers leaving this district to serve overseas was stressed at a meeting held on Friday night. The chairman, Mr S. S. Shapley, Deputy Mayor, claimed that the pencils were uoav unprocurable and added that fountain pens had been thought of, but it was feared that these articles would also be difficult to obtain. The committee was faced with the necessity of procuring suitable gifts and he asked for an expression of opinion from the members.

Many suggestions were made amongst which were those of money belts and wallets. It w,as understood that men leaving I'orW-vice overseas would not have nothing that would be cumueisome or ■would be superfluous to their- equipment. It was finally deckled to obtain if possible, leather wallets "which would act as a cover for the men's pay books. These would bo engraved with a silver fern and would bear in gold lettering the soldier's name and the name of tlvj town' which made the presentation.

The procuring the wallets was left to the president and the secretary (Mr J. W. Wilson).

Shortage of Funds

It was pointed out by the treasurer, Mr W. Henderson, that the funds in hand amounted to only £15. He added that at the last farewell the collection made had totalled £11, and it was agreed that If all men leaving in the future were to be treated alike a further campaign for funds would be necessary.

Diversity of Opinion.

At this juncture, the secretary, JVXr Wilson, stated that there was some diversity of opinion as to ■whether money should be lifted from the country districts. People in the country had expressed the feeling that they had the right to farewell their own men and preferred to do so without subscribing to the civic function held at Whakatane, Continuing he stated that he understood that a number of 'County residents considered that they had a prior right over the Whakatane ceremony.

Regret Expressed,

Members expressed regret that such a belief was abroad and pointed out that what was done at Whakatane was a gesture which was the •combined effort of both town and ■country residents which was in nature of a civic farewell to recognise the service of the men.

Mr lan Gow said that he realised that there was a little misunderstanding, but he was strongly i*n favour of the continuance of tha Whakatane ceremony which had a dignity and atmosphere which could not be created in a dance hall where half a dozen men were ,t'o be honoured.

This view was strongly supported by Mr C. Kingsley-Smitli.

An understanding of the country people's feeling was expressed by Mr A. J. Canning and he thought that it would be better if the Boi--ough confined its function to only its own men. Strong opposition of this view was expressed by Mr B. S. Barry, who was emphatic that the civic farewell should not be replaced by any other function' of a social aiature. "Let the small communities carry on with their social evenings, but Whakatane. I maintain, should aiot depart from the splendid parnde and ceremony to the boys in the past. jftjjCvould be impossible to 4ive the irtiem anything approaching such a farewell in a small district." Continuing, Mr Barry said: "Thi* men appreciate the ceremony aatf fay the presence of hundreds of residents of the country and citizens of Whakatane they realise the full meaning of the function."

Support for Mr Barry was forthcoming from Mr L. W. Lux ton, while Mr Rangi expressed the opinion that the Maori population ■would, be greatly disappointed if the ceremony was allowed to lapse. Question of Funds. The question of appealing to the country districts for funds was fully discussed, and it was thought advisable not to extend the canvass made in the town, but to appeal individually to country residents through the press in which a subscription list would be opened (ap-

pearing to-day). For the town canvass collectors were appointed to operate during this week.