PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 52, 29 August 1940, Page 13

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

A VOLUNTEER CALLED FOR

Through the resignation of Mr. E. M. Bardsley from the office of honorary secretary of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council that important office will become vacant, ■ and the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, chairman of the council, asked today that those who are in a position to undertake such work should consider offering their services, as Mr. Bardsley has given them for the past year, on a voluntary basis, as a contribution to war work.

"Since the inception of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council Mr. Bardsley, secretary of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, has been the secretary," said Mr. Hislop, "and throughout the period has done the work on a voluntary basis. Ke has rendered splendid service, but now, owing to the heavy calls on his time, he has been compelled to notify us that he must relinquish the work. Accordingly,, with great regret, the council yesterday accepted his. resignation and it will become effective in a week or two. Members of the council were fully in accord with me in expressing the highest appreiation of the work he has done, work which was carried out effectively and most willingly, over and above his usual' duties.

"We are now faced with the necessity of finding a successor to Mr. Bardsley. We feel that there are probably people in Wellington with experience in the type of work involved anxious to render the .service as a contribution to the war effort. We do not suggest that a salary should be paid until we have ascertained whether • there may be some suitable person willing to undertake the work from purely patriotic motives. The council realises, of course, that there may not be many in the happy position of being able to render such service in an entirely voluntary form, but should some be in a position to make this contribution we are anxious to give them the opportunity of serving in this way. ■_ "The work is very extensive and will take up a great deal of the time of anybody who undertakes it, and may indeed be regarded as a full-time 30b. The council would, of course, be prepared to assist by providing necessary clerical assistance, office' space, and requirements by way of disbursements. - - ■■'■■■-. "It is possible that there may be some person who will be able to undertake the work while still carrying on his present duties or business on the basis of some contribution from the council, not necessarily in the nature Of.a full-time salary. "If we are unable to obtain this voluntary or semi-voluntary service we will have to take other steps, but we would be grateful if anyone who is able to meet us as I have suggested !will get into immediate touch with Mr Bardsley, at the office of the Chamber of Commerce, to ascertain the nature and scope of the work. Though Mr. Bardsley is anxious, to relinquish the work at an early date he has again willingly agreed to carry on in the meantime, but the council recognises that the demands made upon him have been very heavy and wishes to give him relief as soon as it is possible to find a successor."

Replying to the very hearty appreciation expressed by the Mayor, by Mr. T. Jordan, and other members of the Patriotic Council yesterday afternoon, Mr. Bardsley said that though he very much regretted having to resign, his duties as secretary to the Chamber of Commerce did not allow him sufficient time to devote to the work of the Patriotic Council if that work was to be carried out in justice to the soldiers and the public who contributed to the funds. Mr. Bardsley said that if the work had been done effectively a great part Of the credit must be given to his assistants, and much credit also to the Chamber of Commerce, which had allowed him for the past year to divide his time and energies as he had done. The work was intensely interesting and would be so to whoever might follow him; more than that, it was fine work to undertake as a contribution to war work.