FAREWELL TO TROOPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 75, 29 March 1940, Page 6

FAREWELL TO TROOPS

LOCAL FUNCTIONS

PETONE WANTS ONE

COUNCIL'S OPINION

It was unanimously decided by the ! Petone Borough Council last night to ask the Wellington Metropolitan Patriotic Committee to rescind its resolution asking local bodies not to hold farewells to soldiers of the district going overseas. A letter was received from the committee advising that a dance was to be given for members of the Second Echelon whose homes were in the area covered by local authorities in the metropolitan zone. Councillor J. C. Burns said that the | question of a civic farewell ~to Petone soldiers had been brought up previously, and had been left in the hands of the-Mayor. Things were proceeding very well when the council was suddenly reminded of ' the committee's decision. He thought with many people that local farewells should be allowed. Councillor Burns moved the motion that the committee should be asked to rescind its decision. • Councillor H. Green said that the relatives of Petone men attending ■ a celebration to be held at the Exhibition would be involved in considerable expense. Petone was a self-contained little town, and the identity of its men would be'more or less lost in a Wellington celebration. Councillor A. M. Macfarlane was of the opinion that a local function was a necessity. People in Petone had already expressed disgust that the council had done nothing. They did. not know that the council was tied by the decision of a superior body. If they knew this, it would save a lot of not very good-natured' banter. Councillor J. R. Gaynor: What is the power of this body? I see that it asks our co-operation. ' , v The Mayor (Mr: G. London): It was a gentleman's agreement. Representations have been made to me about a send-off for the Petone boys. Their identity will be lost in the larger body. As Councillor Burns says, I was in.duty bound to abide by the committee's decision. The motion was then put and carried. - : -■ ' ,