The War and Centennial Activities

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1939, Page 4

The War and Centennial Activities

Information was received in Kalkohe on Tuesday to the effect that the Government has made a suggestion that the local memorial funds should be used for patriotic purposes. Mr L. O. Hall, secretary of the Northland Zone A Committee, said that no such suggestion had been received by the Central Executive, and it seemed unlikely that it would first be communicated to branches.

The only official intimation was the statements by the Acting Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs published in the press last right, that activities were to continue.

“It is known, however,” Mr Hall said, “that several members of the National Council are very concerned that the Government is still going ahead with the full Centennial programme.”

Memorials in Bay Area

Although the Bay of Islands Centennial executive has not held a meeting since the outbreak of hostilities, it is thought that individual Centennial memorials will not be erected in the area. Mr H. T. Atkinson, chairman of the executive, when interviewed, said that in his opinion the history being wiltten by the Rev. M. H. Wybert should constitute the Bay memorial. “Other than the book.” he said, “I do not think there should be any local memorials in the Bay.”

The Rev. Wybert, when talking to a reporter on Tuesday afternoon, said that the book would be completed in a few weeks.

He stated that he thought he would shortly be employed on military business, which would result in the book being concluded later than originally expected.

Kaikche Funds

The secretary of the Kaikohe Centennial Committee, Mr F. Macder.mott, said that his personal opinion was that the memorial should be temporarily forgotten. “We have, nevertheless, a moral obligation to fulfill,” he said, “in that we have to raise £lO4 for expenses. “If we do not face up to this we will be lacking in the pioneer spirit.”