COOL REQUEST MADE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1940, 24 December 1913, Page 6

COOL REQUEST MADE.

TO THE RELIEF COMMITTEE. BY STRIKE PARTICS. Tho meeting of the Citizens' Christ-, mas Relief Committee established by the Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luko) on Monday evening had just commenced in the ilayoral room yesterday afternoon, and the Mayor and Town Clerk (Mr. J. R. l'almer) were calling over the amounts ! of the latest subscriptions, when a knock was heard. . . j The Town Clerk answered the door,, and disappeared from viow to speak to three people who had apparently come to mako some inquiry. Nothing transpired for five minutes, but- dull tones of conversation were audible from the pas-1 sage outside. Then tho Mayor, catching sight of tho Town Clerk through the partially opened door, said, "Can I be of any assistance, Mr. Palmer?" Two minutes later the Town Clerk re-entered, whispered something to tho Mayor, and both left tho room, the Mayor apologising for having to retire. " The others present twiddled their thumbs and talked about tho chango in the weather, and how tho city had been affected by tho strike. Three—four—five—sis min-utes-passed. Then tho Mayor re-enter-ed, took his scat onco more, and plunged into an explanation. "Some misunderstanding has arisen," ho said. "It seems that tho Strike Committee has been collecting funds in tho city, and they belisve that a certain donation of £200 was intended for them."

That amount had been donated by Messrs. Staples and Co., and Mr. Luko stated that he had rung up tlio firm whilst the strikers' emissaries waited. He was unable to get any of the directors or the secretary of the company, but ho . had been informed that the donation was for the Mayor's general fund for Cliristmas distress relief, and had nothing to do with tho Strike Committee or any other committee.

"To make it quito clear to the people of Wellington," continued Mr. Luke, "I may say that our movement is one that was initiated hy the Mayor and citizens in tho interests of people as a whole, and was not associated in any way with tho strikers or Striko Committee. It was known that there was sufficient distress in Wellington due to non-employ-ment, to warrant calling tho meeting. But I want to say thi3 clearly again, that it has nothing to do with tho striko, and nothing to do with the Strike Committco of tho Federation. . . .

Tho disbursement of tlio money or its equivalent will bo from this room by myself (as far as my time will permit), or by Mr. Palmer. Either one or the other will sign every order that goes out. A committee had been appointed to receive subscriptions, and to see that tlio money was profitably and properly spent. I think that clears the ground!" After the Mayor had concluded hia remarks, it was explained that it was not intended to givo away any money at all. Tlio relief would be given solely in kind, and applications from those only whoso position is distressful will bo received at the Town Hall.

The following additional subscriptions were acknowledged:—Bell, Gullv, Bell, and Myers, £10 165.; Mr. T. S. Weston, £5 ns.; Dresden Piano Co., £2 25.: —. Maudslev, £2 2b. ; Dr. Tlatts-Mills, £1 Is.: Mr. M. J. Reardon, £1 Is.; Mrs. B-arlt-rop, £1: Fruitbrokers' Association, £5 of.; E.A.M.. 10s. 6d.; Mrs. Preston, £1 Is.; and Mr. W. Cocks (Missions to Seamen), 10s. Od. These subscriptions brought tho total up to £260 03. .