PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 August 1941, Page 2

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

MEETING AT GREYMOUTH.

The monthly meeting of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council was held at Greymouth, last evening; present: Messrs. G. A. Perry (chairman), D. J. Evans (secretary), K. O. May, A. R. Elcock, J. SmeHton, J. Unwin, E. W. Kennedy, T. E. Coates, P. J. McLean, J. B. Kent, F. A. Kitchingham, A. B. Spiers, W. Clayton, and Mrs. F. W. Shallcrass.'

Lt was reported that the Department of Internal Affairs had requested that inquiries be made as to the activities of the Red Cross in respect to any overlapping of collections, as complaints had been made in some districts. —The Hokitika Branch of the Red Cross and the Hokitika Patriotic Committee replied, stating that there was no question of the clashing of operations. Mr. Kitchingham said that, there was clashing at Greymouth at one time, but it ended months ago. The National Patriotic Council forwarded the assurance of the Army Transport Shipping Officer, that no foodstuffs were shut out of transports to make space for beer. The National Patriotic Fund Board wrote with reference to procedure adopted for appointments on behalf of Provincial Councils, the remission of money overseas, and the provision of amenities at camps. The information was given in response to questions asked by Mr. J. W. Greenslade, at the previous meeting of the Council, and it was received as satisfactory.

The Board forwarded reports from Colonel Waite, its representative at Cairo, detailing the arrangements made for the reception of men from Crete. A lengthy report from Colonel Waite was also forwarded, regarding evacuation matters, prisoners of war, assistance given to nurses, return of parcels and letters addressed to missing men, and co-operation with the Red Cross.—Mr. Evans commented that the reports showed it was a big job. “Like the war in Russia,” he said, “we cannot‘realise how big it really is.” In regard to the appeal for funds being made by nurses, the Board advised that the Registered Nurses’ Association had asked its branches to pay the money raised to the local Patriotic Fund.

The Board forwarded a reply from the Minister of Finance, stating that the maximum of £3O could not be raised to' £5O for remittances to soldiers overseas. Mr. Nash stated that approximately £300,000 had already been remitted overseas, and a considerable increase was expected as the number oj men was augmented. If the maximum were raised to £5O, it might mean the remittance of £2,000,000 per annum, which would represent a considerable proportion of the available funds. The Government would be glad to increase the limit, if circumstances made it possible to do so. The Board wrote regarding the case of a returned man in the Inangahua district, supplying further particulars. —lt was decided to provide money for the man’s personal expenses while in Hospital at Christchurch, and to ask the Red Cross to co-operate. Mr. Evans said he believed the matter would be satisfactorily cleared up when it was explained to the military authorities. A reply from the Army Secretary was forwarded by the Board, respecting complaints in regard to replacements of articles lost by soldiers overseas, which it was alleged had to be paid for by the men themselves. —Mr. May, who made a complaint at the previous meeting, on behalf of a family at Ross, said the soldier’s mother was quite satisfied that he had been required to pay for replacements which should have been made by the Army. However, she had now decided to let the subject drop. The Canterbury Education Board forwarded a circular regarding the children’s war effort to assist with Christmas parcels for soldiers overseas, stating that the funds would be received by the Board, and subsequently returned to the Provincial Council. —Mr. Evans said that the appeal would close in September. In reply to Mr. Kitchingham, he said that the parcels would not be made up at the schools, but the money would be forwarded to the Council, which would insert cards from the schools in the parcels. The Greymouth Patriotic Committee advised that the subject of a social centre at Greymouth for the use of soldiers and their dependents had been held over for further investigation.—Mrs. Shallcrass explained that efforts were still being made to find a suitable building. It was decided that the Chairman and Secretary of the Council be empowered to approve of any suitable proposition put before them by the Greymouth Patriotic Committee. Mr. McLean reported that a “most pathetic” letter had been addressed to him from a person in London, asking for assistance. He thought that such appeals should be referred to the authorities in Wellington, so that it could be ascertained whether they were genuine. Mr. Kent: .The letter is so good that it might be a racket! The Chairman said that in any case, he did not think it was the duty of the Council to deal with such appeals.It was a. national matter. The National Patriotic Fund Board submitted a proposal made by Mrs. Doris M. Browne, of Napier, to assist people in Britain with the reinstatement of property damaged by air-raids. . The Board asked for the opinion of the Council. —The Chairman said this was another case in which action, if any, should be taken by the Board. He moved that the matter be referred to the Board, the motion being seconded by Mr. McLean. and carried.

The National Patriotic Fund Board advised that a further contribution of £620 for British relief was due. — The payment was approved. The financial report showed that the receipts for July totalled £8996 13/8, and payments £9525 (including £7OOO invested in National Bonds). Investments and deposits amount to £25,202 10/-, and current accounts £1456 5/6, a total of £26,658 15/6. TAXATION PROPOSAL REJECTED

A letter was received from- the National Patriotic Fund Board, replying to the motion moved by Mr. May (Mayor of Ross), at the Council's previous meeting, urging that money for patriotic purposes be raised by taxation, instead of by voluntary contributions. The Board stated that the National Council, in view of the decision reached by the recent conference, had decided to take no action. It was pointed out that, if Mr. May’s suggestion were adopted, the Government would have to take control of the money, and this would be contrary to the whole idea of the patriotic organisation. Mr. May said that the letter was not quite correct. The views set forth in the motion were not only those of himself and the Ross Committee. They also became the views, of the Provincial Council, as the motion was carried at the previous meeting. Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P., advised that the motion was being placed before the. Acting Prime Minister. The' Otago Provincial Council wrote, stating that the motion had been received and noted.

The Canterbury Patriotic Council replied, concurring in the adverse attitude adopted at~the conference. The Nelson Provincial Council advised that, while favouring the proposal, it did riot think the present time was opportune for a change. It was proposed, however, to suggest the institution of direct giving as the principal means of raising funds, to obviate the objections to means hitherto used.'

The Wellington Provincial Council advised that the proposal had been deferred, for consideration. The Auckland Provincial Council advised that it was opposed to the proposal. The Marlborough Provincial Council expressed agreement to a limited extent, suggesting a more extended line of action, but continuing patriotic collections under strict regulations. The Hari Hari Patriotic Committee advised that it was in accord with the proposal from Ross. Mr. May said he thought the replies, on the whole, could be taken as encouraging. They were making people think about the subject, and that was what they wanted to do. Probably, before very long, the Westland Council would bring the majority of the other Councils around to its view.

Mr. McLean said that the Ross Committee was deserving of congratulation, for bringing the subject forward.

RED CROSS SOCIETY.

-There was an excellent attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Brunner branch of the Red Cross Society. Transport arrangements were made to enable members desirous of gaining medallions in home nursing to attend the classes in Greyinouth. The series of lectures in first-aid have been completed, 'and the examination will be conducted by Dr. Densem.

Eight pull-overs and one scarf were handed in;

Sympathy with Mrs P. Moore in her illness was expressed, and hopes for a speedy recovery. . As a result of the concert organised by Mrs Martin, the Red Cross funds were considerably augmented, and appreciation of ner effort was recorded.