Mangonui County Attitude To Patriotic Appeal

Northern Advocate, 15 December 1939, Page 4

Mangonui County Attitude To Patriotic Appeal

The- secretary To the Patriotic Committee (Mr C. McKinnon) wrote to the Mangonui County Council stating that instead of asking the ladies of the district to make a supply of socks, pyjamas, Xmas paddings and other camp amenities and comforts for the armed forces in the Auckland province, it had been decided to make a public appeal for funds and the council was asked to make a contribution.

•V The request led to a good deal of discussion, and exception was taken by Cr. McKay to two bodies—the Red Cross and the Patriotic Society—both appealing for’funds.’ The clerk: No appeal could be made for funds apart from the Patriotic Society. The" chairman said Red Cross branches had to raise some funds for carrying on the classes. An instructor could not be expected to travel from Mangonui to Oriiru at his own expense.

Cr. Shaw questioned whether two organisations working along the same lines could exist together. Enthusiasm had been worked up for the Red Cross, and then another organisation came along. This he thought was rather unfortunate.

The chairman: It is. At Oruru they are prepared to raise funds, but they had plenty to do without making socks, puddings, etc. Cr. Hoskin: People are rather shy of the Government control, and there is a lack of interest throughout the country- The position might change when the first batch of men go overseas, but it was hard to get any en- ' thusiasm now. Cr. Vickers: The war has not come home to us yet. Mr McKinnon: All local committees - -have full control of the funds they raise. •

Cr. Matthews moved, and Cr. Holder seconded, that the council make a donation of £lO to the fund.

Cr. McKay protested against a grant hieing made, on the grounds that the Red Cross was a sufficient organisation. - The .motion was carried.

A request for a donation to the Society for Crippled Children had" .a chilly reception.

Cr, Hoskin said the district was already paying enough for Wilson Home treatment. No better reception was given a request for a donation towards health camps for children. It was considered that' social security taxation was in . itself a Sufficient burden cover age for such needs.