PATRIOTIC CONTROL

Grey River Argus, 8 February 1940, Page 5

PATRIOTIC CONTROL

MEETING AT GREYMOUTH. A meeting of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council was held at Greymouth last evening when there were present Messrs G. A. Perry (chairman), D. J. Evans (secretary), F. A. Kitchingham; F. H. Denton, J. A. Murdoch, J. Smeaton, J. Mulcare, W. B. Gilbert, H. Herring, J. Unwin, R. McTaggart, J. B. Kent, P. J. McLean, W. Clayton, A. H. McKane and Mesdames F. A. Kitchingham and F. W. Shallcrass. A discussion ensued as to the most practical gift to give departing soldiers. It was also pointed out that difficulty was experienced in contacting all the men in order to hand gifts to them. Socks, cigarettes, etc.', had been decided upon, in view of the fact that the Government now intended to provide the “housewives.” It was decided that each departing soldier receve some 1 token going into camp'and that any gifts not collected be sent to the camps in which the West Coast men were quartered. It was pointed out that the presentations could be made by a responsible officer if the men had failed to collect them previously. The secretary appealed to ladies’ committees to purchase all possible supplies of socks and handkerchiefs locally. ‘ The National Patriotic Board, Wellington, advised that R.S.A. branches would assist in collecting gifts and foods for the Second Expeditionary Force. The R'.S.A. headquarters, Wellington, . wrote flfffering services of local branches for collecting. The National Patriotic Control Board notified of a National Fund collection in the last week in February, and the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army collection for the sick and wounded in the week ending March 16. The Kokatahi, Franz Josef and Wataroa Women’s Institutes applied for supplies of wool. The request was referred to the secretary for attention.

The Grey Women’s Branch forwarded statement of receipts and expenses, leaving a credit of £24 3s 2d. The Brunner committee notified constitution of committee and forwarded surplus of 12s 6d from farewell function.

The Reefton Red Cross wrote acknowledging copy of circulars, and forwarding press report of meeting. The Hokitika committee wrote asking that the chairman, Mr A. R. Elcock, Deputy Mayor, be authorised to appoint collectors; also requesting to enlarge committee, and forwarding accounts approved for payment totalling £4O 7s 7d, mainly incurred for Red Cross work. Authority was given.

The financial statement indicated that there was £290 6s in hand. Receipts were previously acknowledged £2Ol 9s 4d, Grey County contribution £57 10s, N.Z. Breweries donation £5O, Women’s Branch Grey committee £24 3s 2d, West Coast Master Bakers’ Association £lO 10s, Ernest Adams Ltd. £lO, AH' Saints’ Church collection, Hokitika Thanksgiving service £7 6s Bd, Brunner Patriotic Committee 12s 6d, Ross Borough Council £4 Ils, Kokatahi ball £9 13s 2d, Mr J. A. Havill donation £5, Franz Josef W.I. ball £l5, discounts ss, total £396 0s lOd. The sundry accounts to date were gifts, soldiers at Burnham, Christmas £l5, sundry accounts, Hokitika, wool £9 13s 6d, sundry accounts, Hokitika, gifts, £4 10s 9d; women’s account, Greymouth, imprest £2O; Reefton branch, sundry charges, £ll 12s; Hokitika branch, on account Red Cross appeal £4O 7s 7d; total £lOl 3s lOd. Accounts totalling 16s 8d were passed for payment. The secretary reported that he had received a letter from the Savings Bank, Hokitika, indicating that a payment of £lO monthly would be made available to the Westland branch of the Patriotic Fund for the duration of the war. The offer was accepted with thanks. RUNANGA BOROUGfi DISCUSSION. At the monthly meeting of the Runanga Borough Council a letter from the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council, requesting payment of the Borough’s allocation of £l6 12s 6d led to a short discussion. Crs. J. McTigue and Y. Rutherford objected to the payment of the levy. Cr. Rutherford said that the funds were to provide money and comforts for soldiers, but Runanga had already provided for the men going away. The Council had not given any authority to contribute. The local, committee had provided for the local soldiers better than elsewhere. The Mayor (Mr R. McTaggart) said that the Committee was trying to get uniformity in the making of presentations. Runanga had made excellent presentations, but in view of the possibility of interest lagging as more men went away, the committee was trying to establish a standard. House to house collections were not allowed, and they, wished to give every soldier the same. He preferred that the Council make the payment so that every soldier would be treated alike. Cr. Morris said that the Council would have to fall, into line, and collections in the town would have to stop. Runanga had given the men more than was the . case Jn otheri parts, and as the Patriotic Committee had been relieved of providing for these men, Runanga should be credited with the number already provided for locally. On his motion it was decided to leave the matter to the borough representative on the committee (the Mayor.) to have the unexpended balance collected for the previous send-off allocated to the Patriotic Committee, in addition to an allowance for providing for the men who had already gone.