PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 25113, 1 March 1944, Page 7

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

DISCUSSION OF OTAGO AFFAIRS

At the bi-monthly meeting of tho Otago Provincial Patriotic Council, held in Jlie Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, the Mayor, Mr A. H. Allen, welcomed Lieutenant-colonel F. Waito, overseas commissioner for the National Patriotic Fund Board, who is at present on furlough in New Zealand. Lieu-tenant-colonel Waite later addressed the meeting. In response to a request by the National Patriotic Fund Board for comment on resolutions i>assed i at the Dominion conference ot patriotic bodies, the council passed the following resolutions :—(1) " That this provincial council is willing to fall in with a scheme for the central recording of grants made to servicemen or their dependents, provided that all provincial councils do likewise, and that an undertaking is given by the Government that the information so recorded is not disclosed to any Government department.'' <-> "That this council, acknowledging the right of the people of Otago to raise whatever sum they arc prepared to contribute for post-war welfare, does not recognise any limitation to the amount that may be raised by a provincial council for this purpose. It maiutaiusthat the moneys so received by a provincial council must be retained by that council and expended at the absolute discretion of that counoil. It further maintains that the realisation funds of the National Patriotic Fund Board should be returned to provincial patriotic councils in the same ratio as they were contributed."

• Accounts passed for payment included £1.547 lis 4d for gift parcels. £6B 11a 10J for the men's services club, £lB lis Id for the women's services club, and £lO Us 5d Jror the entertainment of tr'oops. In presenting the financial statement, Mr K. C. Hazlett made complimentary reference to the very successful manner in which the women's club was being conducted by the ladies' committee in charge. He also asked whether men of the American navy frequented the' men's club, and what the view of the Navy League was regarding tho provision of free meals for these men. Mr J. Sutherland Boss said that he felt the cost of such meals should h(» borne by the Patriotic Council, rather than the Navy League. On the motion of Mr J. C. Kirkness it was il*. cided to offer free njeals to American seamen at the club in future, the cost to be paid by the council, The Relief Committee's report, pre' sented by Dr W. Newlands, stated that 119 'applications had heeu received; JW of these had been granted, totalling £2BB 12s, and five cases deferred. l)t Newlands stated that all applications were dealt with according to their merits.

A report dealing with the Alamem War Cemetery was receviecl from Major Tweedy, the Red Cross Commissioner for-New Zealand in the MiddK» East. During September Major Tweedy visited the large cemetery at Alamein. which will be the principal and ultimate place of burial for all the men who lost their lives in the Alamein battle area. Plots have been allotted for New Zealand as well as the other dominions. The layout of the _ whole area is very well planned, and is fast assuming a" well-cared-for appearance At the head of most graves is a cross with full particulars of the soldier interred. It is also intended to erect a large memorial in the centre of the cemetery. Mr James Hogg was appointed the council's delegate to"- tho Dominion Publicity Committee meeting in Wellington on March 15.