PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1940, Page 4

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

MEETING AT GREYMOUTH The monthly meeting of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council was held at : Greymouth, last evening, and was attended by Messrs. G. E. Perry (chairman), J. B. Kent, T. E. Kennedy, J. Smeaton, G. Eder, K. 0. May, A. R. Elcock, G. G. M. Mitchell, F. A.Kitchingham, A. H. McKane, W. Clayton, Mrs. F. W. Shallcrass and Mr. D. J. Evans (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from. Messrs. J. O’Brien M.P., J. Mulcare, J. Unwin, P. J. McLean and J. A. Murdoch. The Mayor of Runanga (Mr. R. McTaggart) wrote acknowledging the Council’s letter of sympathy on the ’occasion of the Ten Mile mining disaster. The National Patriotic Fund Board, Wellington, wrote stating that finances were fast becoming depleted and in addition, the Board was committed to a further £27,000 expenditure for huts at Waiouru/and overseas. An amount of £ 100,000 would be required through the Provincial Councils not later than March next. The National Board forwarded ageport of a conference with the Board and the Red Cross Society and drawing attention to a suggestion that a liaison officer of the Joint Council of the Ordei' of St. John and the Red Cross Society should be appointed to the Provincial Council. The chairman suggested that Mr. McKane (R.S.A. representative) might also represent the Joint Council on the Patriotic Council. Mr. Mitchell suggested that the Joint Council should be given the opportunity to appoint another delegate, and it was decided to invite the Joint Council to make an appointment. The National Board advised that some doubt had arisen concerning the line of demarcation regarding spending money for sick and wounded and for rehabilitation, and it was recommended that two members of the Joint Council and two members of the Provincial Council should constitute a sub-committee to decide as to border line cases. It was also stated that a national policy was under consideration and it was requested that particulars of local cases should be forwarded.

On the motion of Messrs. McKane and Kitchingham, it was decided that Messrs. Perry and Evans, _ with the Hokitika members of the Joint Council (Messrs. Whitford and Gillespie), subject to their approval, should constitute the suggested committee. The National Board advised that a ruling had been obtained that sales tax must be paid on articles purchased for patriotic purposes and a refund then claimed from the Department. The Organiser of the All Purposes Appeal, Wellington, wrote stating that, owing to duplication and consequent confusion, it has been decided to substitute the words “all purposes” for “heart-to-heart” in connection with the appeal. The Lady Galway Guild, Christchurch, wrote acknowledging receipt of clothing, and advising that the first consignment reached London safely early in October; In reply to representations by the Council, the Minister of Defence wrote regretting that a visit from the New Zealand Air Force Band was not practicable at present, owing to ,the completion of the tour, but that the claims of the West Coast for a visit would have consideration if, and when, another tour was undertaken. The Air Force Relations Committee, Wellington, notified that more wool for comforts for the Air Force would be distributed, and asking if the district could deal with six lbs. monthly. The secretary said that he had received six lbs. and Mrs. Shallcrass had also received six lbs. As far as the country districts were concerned, this was not a good time for knitting, owing to the dairying season being at its height, but they would do their best. The Greymouth Committee forwarded £1,238/13/9 for patriotic purposes, distributed over different funds. The Committee also recommended the appointment of Mrs. Shallcrass to represent the Women’s Branch on the Council. , In moving that the recommendation be given effect to,' the chairman said that he was sure Mrs. Shallcrass would be a great assistance to the Council, and her knowledge of patriotic matters would be invaluable. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kent, and carried. Mrs. Shallcrass expressed thanks to the chairman for his remarks.

ENTERTAINING TROOPS. The Greymouth Committee wrote suggesting that steps be taken to provide entertainment for West Coast troops on leave in Christchurch and also suggesting that it might be accomplished through the revival of the West Coasters’ Association in Christchurch. •' The secretary said that he had replied to Mr. Parfitt, suggesting that arrangements might be made to provide accommodation through the Welcome’ Club or the Union Jack Club. There was no West Coasters Association in Christchurch. Mr. Kitchingham said that it was not a question of providing accommodation for the men, but _ .various committees representing districts outside Christchurch had undertaken the entertainment of troops and the clubs mentioned and the suggestion had been made that it might be possible to get the West Coasters in Christchurch to do the same thing, instead of throwing the whole burden on the Canterbury people. ' Mr. McKane said he understood that entertainment parties actually went from their various districts with the object of providing entertainment at the clubs week-end. He really thought that something should be done on the lines indicated. Merely sending a donation did not appear to be enough, as there was.no doubt that the Christchurch people were doing great work. The secretary suggested that the Council might write to a former West Coast woman resident, asking her to call a meeting of West Coasters in Christchurch, with the object of forming an entertainment committee to assist at the Welcome Club. A motion on these lines was moved by Mr. Kitchingham. Mr. Mitchell moved an amendment that a representative of the Council should proceed to Christchurch at an 1 early date, and call a meeting of exWest Coasters, with the object of forming a West Coast Soldiers’ Entertainment Committee.

The amendment was seconded by Mr. Kent and carried. It was decided that Mr. Evans/should proceed to Christchurch on December 14, and would endeavour to arrange ah enter- I tainment at the Welcome Club the following week-end, in order to give | the West Coast Territorials at present in camp an opportunity of attending. The matter of financing the entertainment was left to Mr. Evans.

TAXATION OR DONATIONS? I ‘ The Mayor of Ross (Mr. K. O. May) wrote stating that it was the opinion of the Ross Committee that the present patriotic appeal would be hard to carry out successfully. It was felt that while certain residents made regular contributions, it was unfair to call on them again, while those who in the past had been unwilling to giye were not likely to have changed their opinions. The Committee was of the opinion that the provision of recreation huts, etc., and funds for rehabilitation should not be a charge on the willing givers but on the taxpayers of New Zealand generally. Taxation appeared to be a much simpler and more equitable way of obtaining the funds needed, without the waste of effort that was now obvious, and most people would prefer to know what they were expected to give. The so-called voluntary system meant that those who were willing, gave, and those who were not willing escaped their responsibilities. There was only one thing wrong with the voluntary system —it did not work. It was suggested that patriotic funds should be raised by an additional tax on income. The National Income was £ 168,000,000 and 3d in the £ would realise £2,000,000. If that amount was insufficient, the amount in the £ 1 could be increased. This would be a simpler scheme, and under it, all would do their share. The Ross Committee asked that the Council should approve the suggestion and urge other Councils to make representations to the Government to pass the necessary legislation.

I Mr. May said that the letter represented the opinion, not only of the Ross Committee, but of a number of people who contributed regularly and Ito test the feeling of the meeting, he ' would move that the Council approve of the views expressed and carry out the suggestion of requesting the support of other Councils. I Mr. Kent said he thought that the motion was a little premature. He thought that the letter should be circularised to members and discussed at the next meeting, when it would possibly have a greater chance of suecess. j Mr. McKane said he took it that if I the Government collected the money, it would have the spending of it, and jthe funds would not be administered as sympathetically as they would be by the Councils. If the funds so collected were to be distributed pro rata | to the Councils, there might be some merit in the suggestion. I Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion, pro forma. , Mr. Kent moved, as an amendment, that the Ross letter be circulated to all members and considered at the next meeting. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Clayton who said that, for one, he could not discuss the matter without consulting his committee., Mr. May: That is all I could expect, and I will withdraw my motion. The amendment was carried.

REHABILITATION QUESTION As authorised at the last meeting, the secretary produced the cards to be used for filing particulars of men returning from active service. He said that the Government had already, published what it proposed to do in regard to returned men, but’ where the Rehabilitation Committees came into it was the men’s actual return to civil life.

The chairman suggested that the' Rehabilitation Committees would be I more concerned with the period in i between a man’s discharge and his re- • turn to civil life. Beyond that, it would be impossible for the Commit- | tees to go. ! Mr. McKane said that there was al- : so the case of a man who met with bad luck or illness just after his return to ' civil life. Mr. Kitchingham said he did not think that “Rehabilitation Committee” was the best possible word. “After Discharge Committee” would better convey its task, as it would really be concerned with emergency assistance. I Mr. McKane said a suggestion might be made to the National Board that, in view of the Government’s state- | ment, the Rehabilitation Fund might be given some other name. ! The Chairman: It is difficult to sug- I gest a word, and we .can think it over. ■ On the motion of Mr. Kent, the fil- j ing cards as presented were accepted. and it was also decided that the Re- | habilitation Committees be informed 1 that as the occasion arose, .imprest; accounts would be opened for them. Mr. McKane said it had been suggested to him that the Westland trotting meeting, at Greymouth, next year, might be changed from a one-day to-a two-day fixture, with the proceeds of the second day given to the Patriotic Fund, and it was decided to place the suggestion before the Greymouth Trotting Club. It was decided that no meeting of the Council be held in January, unless urgent business arose. The financial statement showed:—

Receipts during month: Collections at 27/11/40 £16,302/18/10; Inangahua Committee £79/11/10; Grey County Committed £46/12/8, Grey County (Special Day) £144/13/7; Hokitika Committee £45/0/3; total £16,618/17/2. Payments during month: National Fund Board, wool .£ 159/0/i; National Fund Board, British relief £B/18/-; Hokitika Committee, supplies £ll 1/6; Waitaha Committee, tickets £1 12/3; Greymouth Committee, cigarettes £5/11/5; total £lB6/3/3. Financial position: Deposits with Banks £12,200; cash at bank, open account £943/10/2; total £13,143 10/2.