£85,466 STILL NEEDED

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24112, 23 November 1943, Page 4

£85,466 STILL NEEDED

CANTERBURY PATRIOTIC QUOTA

PLAft FOR APPROACH TO BUSINESS FIRMS

Canterbury still needs £85,466 to fill its quota of patriotic funds for the year, and the Christchurch Metropolitan area should subscribe £60,501 of the amount, it was stated at a conference called by the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews), chairman of the Provincial Patriotic Council, yesterday afternoon - . An individual approach to city firms and businessmen for a major annual contribution, in place of the numerous small grants made in response to various appeals, was one of the plans approved by the conference for raising the money by December 31. “Time is the essence of the contract,” said Mr Andrews. He said it was obvious that to raise the money in the time would require a very special effort and better organisation than was now available. Business houses were prepared to give, but no regular system of calling on them had been devised. The “penny a day” scheme was operating well in other centres and in parts of Christchurch.

Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, chairman of the council’s standing committee, said the Manufacturers’ Association, the Employers’ Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, acting together, had done a good job last year, but since then there had been little systematic collection. A substantial deficit from last year had been carried forward and merged in this year’s figures. Two provincial councils were in arrear, and one of them was Canterbury. "I know that many firms are waiting to be asked, and I think this is a deplorable thing,” said Mr Mac Gibbon. Christchurch had had a reputation for spontaneous generosity, and he was sure that when the need was made known these business houses and men would give without being asked. He understood that the Manufacturers’ and Employers’ Associations and the Chamber of Commerce had a plan for individual approach to all their members, and he would like to see the heads of other organisations set themselves sums to be raised by their members. “If any country on God’s earth is going to nave a decent Christmas this year, it is ours,” said Mr Mac Gibbon. “This should be our thanksgiving appeal.” Mr S. L. Wright said a committee of the three organisations previously mentioned would meet to-day to coordinate lists of their members and arrange for direct approach to them. "We have felt for some time that an appeal should be made to them direct from the Patriotic Fund," he said. It was proposed that a letter signed by the Mayor, as chairman of the Provincial Patriotic Council, and the presidents of the three organisations should be sent out. It should be made clear that the request was for an annual donation, and that they would not be expected to subscribe again within the year. Some firms might prefer to make their annual grant 75 per cent, of their intended total, retaining 25 per cent, for subscription to the various “stunts” arranged by trade and other organisations.

Mr W. P. Glue said the builders were prepared to organise on similar lines, and one member of the association had already promised £IOO. “You won’t have any trouble getting the money if you ask for it.” he said. Representatives of the Canterbury Licensed Victuallers’ Association, the Fire and Accident Underwriters’ Association, and the Accountants’ Society also gave assurances of assistance.