APPLICATION FOR ART UNION

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21088, 13 February 1934, Page 9

APPLICATION FOR ART UNION

SOLDIERS' COTTAGE HOMES ATTITUDE OF MINISTER Much disappointment was expressed at the meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association last night with the report received from Mr T. L. Drummond, a member of the executive, of the result of his interview with the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister for Internal Affairs, relative to the proceeds of an art union being devoted to the association's scheme to provide cottage homes for returned soldiers. Mr Drummond's letter was as follows: — "I beg to report that on January 30 Mr Perry and myself interviewed the Minister for Internal Affairs relative to his reply to our request for the proceeds of an art union. The interview lasted the greater part of an hour. The Minister finally promised to refer the matter back to the Cabinet committee. He also hinted that we might approach the subject from another angle—that of a request for a £ for £ subsidy. He spoke of a subsidy up to about £SOO. I intimated that such an amount would be inadequate, and stated we would certainly investigate this proposal, but that an amount nearer £SOOO would be required I had a conversation with the Prime Minister on Saturday night, but he had had no previous personal contact with the scheme, and the most I was able to do in one interview was to get his approval of the principle of the scheme. Mr Perry, after the interview, said that he considered the interview unsatisfactory, in which opinion I concur. Mr Perry will also endeavour in the meantime to get into touch with the members of the Cabinet committee. The Minister asked specifically what the Christchurch Association had done in the way of raising finance, mentioning the carnival scheme, and also the proposal to appeal to local persons of wealth. My reply was that these matters arc under way." "Very Disappointing" On the motion of the chairman (the Rev. F. T. Read) thanks were accorded Mr Drummond for acting on behalf of the association. Referring to the result of the interview, as set out in Mr Drummond's letter, the chairman said that it was very disappointing, especially in view of the reception the Minister gave (hem on the first occasion they waited on him. There was in Christchurch a strong feeling against the large amount of art union money being devoted to a jockey club and to a tennis club. He suggested that a deputation from the association should confer with Mr W. Perry, the Dominion vice-president. Mr W. E. Leadley said that the deputation from Christchurch, together with one from headquarters, should wait on the Prime Minister and, if possible, should interview the Cabinet committee that deals with art union matters. It was decided that the deputation from Christchurch should confer with Mr Perry and, if possible, interview the Cabinet committee. New South Wales Scheme The secretary of the Ashburton Hospital Board (Mr A. Prentice) wrote that Mr F. Z. D. Ferriman. who was a patient in the hospital, had asked him to write recommending that Sir Philip Game. Governor of New South Wales, should be seen, as he had a very intimate knowledge of the soldiers' home scheme which had been carried out very successfully in New | South Wales. Mr Ferriman considered that his Excellency would be able to give the association much valuable information. It was decided that the secretary (Mr E. F. Willcox) should endeavour to get in touch with Sir Philip Game and invite him to visit the club-rooms and meet as many members of the executive as possible; also that Sir Philip Game be asked to visit the section and that the executive avail themselves of any information that his Excellency could give them regarding the New South Wales scheme.