PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1942, Page 2

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

MEETING AT GREYMOUTH

i In succession to the late Mr. G. A. I Perry (Mayor of Hokitika), Mr. F. A. Kitchingham (Mayor of Greymouth), previously the deputy-chairman, was elected unopposed as Chairman of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council, which held its monthly meeting at Greymouth last evening. Tributes were paid to the services of Mr. Perry as Chairman of the Council since its inception, and a motion of appreciation was recorded in the -minutes, on the motion of Mr. Kitchingham, seconded by Mr. P. J. McLean. Mr. A. R. Elcock was elected unopposed as deputy-chairman and congratulations were extended to him on his appointment as Mayor of HokiThe meeting was attended by Messrs Kitchingham, D. J. Evans (secretary), McLean, Elcock, J. A. Murdoch, J. B. Kent, W. Clayton, J. Mulcare, J. Smeaton, T. G. Jamieson, F. H. Denton, J. W. Greenslade, J. Unwin, E. W. Kennedy and Mrs. F. W. Shallcrass. n „ The National Fund Board icrwarded particulars of the leave allowance for discharged men, and said that, as the present system appeared to give satisfaction, the Army Department was not in favour of any change in the method of payment. An appeal was made by the National Board for gifts of cups and saucers from householders, for use in military camps, as it was no longer possible to import crockery.—The secretary said that, so far, about a dozen cups and saucers had been given in Hokitika. The Inangahua County Committee advised that no crockery was available in the Reeftori district. The National Board advised that the Westland Council’s share of the proceeds from the exhibition of the nlm, ‘Target for To-night,” was £2 18/--Writing with regard to food rationing, the National Board directed the Council to apply to the Food Controller for supplies for Service Clubs, on monthly requirements. The Board also asked lor a report on supplies required for gift parcels, with a view to ordering them through the central Food Controller.—Approved. The National Broadcasting Service wrote, giving the procedure for local patriotic broadcasts. The reason for requiring the script to be sent to Weliington first was in order that it could be examined by the censor. —The secretary said that one broadcast had been delivered from the Greymouth radio station, but it had not been very inspiring. Mr. Kitchingham said that the director at Greymouth had made it perfectly plain that he did not wish io read the broadcasts, if anyone else was willing to do so. The Opotiki Patriotic Committee wrote, suggesting “We can give it,” as a Dominion slogan in connection with collections. —No action was taken. The Inangahua County Committee wrote, suggesting that the secretaryships of patriotic organisations be offered to suitable men unfit for military service; inquiring as to pensions payable to returned men, and the position in respect to rehabilitation; asking for details of the quotas paic. by each committee; and suggesting tliat payment to Lady Galway Guild Committee should go through the Patriotic Committees.—On the motion of Mr. McLean, it was decided that the .secretary should supply the informa- * Mr. Evans said that the Lady Galway Guild Committees were separate from the Patriotic Councils, although they worked under the Councils. The Guild at Reefton had been contributing through tlie Inangahua County Committee.

So far as he knew, said Mr. Kitchingham, all the secretaryships were of an honorary nature. - Mr. Clayton referred to the case of a returned soldier, who was married, and not in good financial circumstances. He was receiving a pension but felt improved in health, and took a position. He found that he could not do the work, however, and had to resign. Meanwhile, ho had lost his pension, and had considerable difficulty in regaining it. The Inangahua Committee had to assist him until the pension was restored. Such incidents, .said Mr. Clayton, did not constitute any encouragement to men to give up' their pensions and go to work. Mr. Kennedy said that difficulty was being found in placing returned men who were not fit to do hard work. Surely, light jobs could be- found for them by the Department which was supposed to attend to such cases. When trouble was being experienced in placing the few men who had so far returned, what would be the position after the war? The matter should be investigated. Mr. Greenslade said it would be a good idea if Mr. Kitchingham, as a member of the Rehabilitation Committee at Greymouth, gave periodical reports as to the number of men dealt with, and how they were assisted. It would be good for the people to know how the money they gave was being used, and whether the men were getting reasonable treatment. There seemed to be a certain amount of discussion in the town and district on the subject. Mr. Kitchingham indicated that the men were being treated as generously as possible by the Greymouth Committee, the average grants being hip er than at some other places in the Dominion. RETURN OF SOLDIERS The Army Office, Greymouth, wrote explaining the method of notifying the return to the West Coast of men from overseas, and stating that the earliest 1 possible advice was given. Mr. Kitchingham said that the letter was a reply to a previous complaint from Hokitika. At Greymouth, they had received advice that men were returning by the express when they wore not on the train. The men were supplied with tickets, but there was no’ compulsion to travel by any particular train. On two occasions within the past few weeks, representatives of the Patriotic Committee, the Red Cross, and the citizens went to the railway station to meet soldiers who were said by the Army Office to be arriving, but they looked like a “crowd of goofs” when the soldiers did not arrive. He knew that it was difficult to keep track of the men’s movements, but the Greymouth Committee would see what could be done, so that they would not have Red Cross representatives proceeding to Stillwater and others going to the Greymouth station, when the men did not arrive. There was a weakness somewhere, and the thing must be put right somehow. At present, there was a ludicrous waste of valuable time. . . Mr. Elcock said that the position was most unsatisfactory at Hokitika.

Mr. Kitchingham said that information now came from the W.W.S.A., who passed it on to the Reception Committee and others at Greymouth. Nevertheless, difficulties had occurred. Mr. Kent commented that the men themselves were sometimes to blame. They did not want anyone to meet them. A lot of people did not wish to be met by a crowd. Mr. Kitchingham suggested that it might be possible to get the railway officials to send a telegram, advising whether men were en route. Such advice could perhaps be sent from Springfield or Otira. The Greymouth Committee would see what could be done. PAYMENT OF LEVIES. ONLY TWO QUOTAS RAISED. A statement of the position regarding the payment of levies was submitted as follows:—-Greymouth Borough, amount of levy £4446, paid to April 30, £2063/11/11. Hokitika Borough £1433 (£ 1448/19/7). Westland County £2592 (£696/12/6). Inangahua County £1587 (£574/7/1).

Grey County £2489 (£241/7/10). Ross Borough £145 ( £154/7/3). Runanga Borough £503 ( £5B/5/-). Kumara Borough (£124 (£3O). Brunner Borough £513 (£5/18/6). Other payments: New Zealand Railways staff £275/1/11. interest on investments £235/0/5, National Board £136/17/5, miscellaneous £3/5/10. The secretary pointed out that Ross and Hokitika had done well to complete their quotas. Mr Elcock said that the Hokitika Borough gave credit to the people of the Westland County, for their assistance.

Mr. Kitchingham said that at Greymouth the town had been fairly thoroughly combed for direct contributions. Donations made by some people were very good, but in other cases they were very disappointing, having regard to the people’s means. Up to the present, they had kept away from practically all forms of gambling as a method of raising money, but it looked as if direct giving was providing only about half of the quota. He proposed to discuss the matter at the next meeting of the Greymouth Patriotic Committee.

In reply to Mr. Smeaton, the Chairman said that the levy was based half on population and half on capital value.

Mr. Smeaton said that the Brunner Borough levy was almost the same as .that of Runanga Borough, in spite of the fact that Runanga had a population of about 2000, against 1100 at Brunner. Mr. Kitchingham: It must be that your valuations are too high. Mr. Smeaton said he understood that the valuations were high on account of the mining companies, but he had never found the companies anxious to “weigh in” to the local patriotic fund. In regard to Runanga there was a lot of mining property there, but it belonged to the State, which did not pay any rates. The two collieries in the Brunner district did pay rates. In reply to the chairman, Mr. Kennedy said, that there were some small co-operative mining parties in the Runanga Borough. Mr. Greenslade expressed the opinion that the Council was not virile so far as giving advice to Patriotic Committees on the raising of funds was concerned. The Council did not seem to have many ideas. If the Council gave a lead to the committees, he was sure that the latter would be grateful. The secretary suggested that the committees be asked to send in suggestions, which could be considered at the Council’s next meeting. The appeal for the Liberty Loan would by that time have concluded.

Mr. Greenslade said he wondered whether the various trades at Greymouth would make a special effort. New blood would probably do better than the ordinary collectors, who sometimes became stale. The Tennis Club had recently put up a record.

The Chairman said that the Women’s Patriotic Committee were trying to arrange for various organisations to take weekly shop days.

Mrs. Shallcrass said that the women were doing their best, but she thought that it would be better if patriotic men came to the fore. Mr. Murdoch said that, as the best collectors, he would give the palm to the Salvation Army. Reverting to Brunner, Mr.- Smeaton said that the local Patriotic Committee did not get anything from the mining companies. The levy meant 10/- from every man, woman, and child in the Brunner district, and that would not be forthcoming. It was too much for a working-class community to find. Mr. Kitchingham said that the Greymouth levy also worked out at 10/- per head. If it were spread over 12 months it would be easier, but the money had to be raised in only a few months.

Mr. Clayton said that most of the capita! value in the Inangahua dist) ict was represented by big companies. Mr. Kitchingham said he thought that some of the companies would assist the fund.

Mr. McLean suggested that the Council should write to the mining companies, drawing attention to the heavy levies, and stating that a substantial contribution would be appreciated. “I don’t think they will take the slightest notice,” said Mr. Smeaton. He added that he knew very well the Brunner Collieries could not afford to make a donation, and it had always been difficult to get money out of the Grey Valley Collieries. The companies could not afford it, and the smaller undertakings were at present receiving assistance from the Minister of Mines. However, if any application were made to the companies, it should be made by the local Patriotic Committee, and not by the Council.

The Chairman said he thought Mr. McLean’s suggestion referred more particularly to gold-mining companies. He added that the basis of the levy was the same from one end of New Zealand to the other. Mr Murdoch moved that a special effort be made to raise the quotas after the Liberty Loan campaign concluded.

The motion was seconded by Mr. McLean, and carried. The financial statement showed that the revenue for April totalled £1723/16/5, and the expenditure £2458/1/7. Assets: Deposits, Banks and Security Bonds £23,286/5/5, current credit £772/13/10; total £24,058 19/3. Levies account: Paid to National

Board April 30, £7257; to be paid by September’ 30, £5867. RED CROSS ATTITUDE.

Advice was received from the National Board, to the effect that the majority of Provincial Councils prefer to conduct the All Purposes Appeal instead of dividing the appeal with the Joint Council of the Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John. Mr. Kitchingham said that, at the annual meeting of the Greymouth Branch of the Red Cross, the members did not seem to wish to be associated with the Council's appeal. As an institution, the Red Cross could not collect money for the purposes for which the Council was collecting, but there was nothing to stop individual members of the Red Cross doing so. However, those individuals appeared to be very unwilling to render any particular assistance. It looked as if the Council had to “carry the baby” itself, and raise money of which about 50 per cent, would be spent exclusively by the Joint Council of the Red Cross and St. John. Mr. McLean said that the Council would have to do the best they could, seeing they were so far behind in their quota. His motion to that effect was carried. SPORTS GEAR FOR TROOPS A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE. An application for sports gear for the use of the Infantry Company (National Reserve) at Greymouth, made by the Army, was referred to the Council by the National Patriotic Fund Board. Mr Kitchingham said the practice was that sports gear was provided both in New Zealand and overseas for the troops from the Board’s funds. Quotations had been secured at Greymouth, and the cost of 19 sets of jerseys, pants, stockings, and footballs would be £2O/18/6, plus sales tax. The secretary of the' West Coast Rugby Union had suggested that it might be possible to buy gear at Christchurch, where some football clubs were disbanding. The New Zealand Rugby Union had paid £2OOO to the Board.

Mr Greenslade said that the proposed expenditure might be good, from one point of view. His opinion, however, was that when so much money was required, and difficulties were being experienced in raising it in Westland, there were other ways in which it could be expended with better results.

Mr Murdoch agreed with Mr Greenslade, and added that the jerseys available in Christchurch would be of all colours. How would teams be able to play in them? Mr Kitchingham said it did not follow that they would be multicoloured. Mr Murdoch moved that the letter lie on the table, and Mr Elcock seconded the motion.

Mr Kent moved, as an amendment, that the soldiers on the West Coast be treated in the same way as soldiers in other parts of New Zealand Mr McLean seconded the amendment.

Mr Murdoch; I cannot see how you can go bare-facedly to the people for money for expenditure on the war, and then let them see through tlie Press that you are spending money for sports gear. I would rather put my hand in my pocket and pay for a jersey. Mr Kent pointed out that physical fitness was necessary, and sports wouiu help the troops in that respect. Mr Greenslade: Do we know how they are being treated in other parts? Why not find out? Mr Kent: We should affirm the principle. Mr McLean suggested that Mr Kitchingham should interview the Rugby Union and ascertain what was being done in other districts.

Mr Greenslade said that a discussion occurred at the previous meeting as to what should be done for returned soldiers. The fact was stressed that the men coming back had dif - ficulties, yet an argument occurred as to whether a paltry “fiver” should be given to them. To him, it seemed a very sordid argument. The Council was sugegsting, on the one hand, that it had not sufficient funds to give a reasonable amount to a soldier when he came back from the horrors of war, in certain difficulties and sometimes sick and sad; on the other hand, they were proposing to vote £2O for sports gear from funds they were having great difficulty in raising. He thought they all agreed that the men overseas should be given everything they needed; but men in New Zealand had access to football clubs, with which they could link up. He did not think that the money collected from the people should be spent on sports gear for such men. People would not contribute to patriotic funds for that purpose. The funds should be reserved for the men overseas.

The amendment was defeated on a show of hands, only four members supporting it. The motion that the letter lie on the table, was carried. Mr Kitchingham said he assumed that someone would borrow a shop day, to raise funds for the purchase of sports gear. Mr Greenslade said he thought they could get private donations for the purpose, and he was prepared to contribute £l.