PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 11 November 1942, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

ANNUAL MEETING OF CITY

COMMITTEE TRIBUTE TO PUBLIC SUPPORT OVER £17.000 COLLECTED The annual meeting of the Nelson City Patriotic Committee in the City Council Chamber last evening was well attended by members of the public and representatives of various organisations. Mr A. H. Crawley presided. The chairman commented that since the last meeting events had moved rapidly and the war had come nearer these shores. However, the heartening news of the past week had helped to relieve the suspense. Quoting a tribute paid to the New Zealanders in the Middle East he added that those were the men for whom funds were being collected. YEAR’S ACTIVITIES Reporting for the committee on the activities for the year ending 30th September, 1942, Mr Crawley said: “The last annual meeting was held on 25th November, 1941, at which a committee was appointed and entrusted with the task of raising Nelson city’s contribution to the Provincial Patriotic Fund. At that meeting I made the statement that the city w-ould have to raise* £12,000 to £14,000 by the end of September, 1942. Subsequently my com mittee decided on collecting £15,000 and its one objective during the past year has been to achieve that aim—hence the slogan ‘£15,000 Patriotic Appeal.’ At the last annual meeting various suggestions were made and discussed as to the best methods to be adopted in raising the funds and it was resolved ‘that the system of direct giving be considered as the ideal and most worthy method of raising funds.’ I can assure this meeting that the principles embodied in that resolution have been honoured and observed by my committee.

“For the period 20th October, 1941, to 30th September, 1942, the sum of £17,564 8s 9d has been collected and paid over to the Nelson Provincial Patriotic Fund by my committee which I think all will agree is at least a most satisfactory effort.

“Such a response is practical evidence that the public of Nelson realises its obligations and the necessity for raising monies for patriotic purposes. I think also that such a splendid result is due to people generally now having a better understanding of the many purposes for which patriotic funds are being used. There are, however, still some people who do not realise that every shilling that'is expended by the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, the Y.M.C.A., the Church of England Military Affairs Committee, the Catholic War Services Fund Board, the Salvation Army, the Air Force Relations, the Navy League War Council, and other similar institutions, is provided out of patriotic funds. “The wounded in hospitals, who in many instances have lost everything, are visited by representatives of the Red Cross and supplied with cigarettes, razors, shaving brushes, tooth brushes, soap, tooth paste, etc., etc. All these are paid for and supplied with a portion of the patriotic contributions; likewise the prisoner-of-war parcels and soldiers’ gift parcels. Then there are the mobile cinema units which are operated for the National Patriotic Fund Board by the Y.M.C.A. in the Middle East where many of our Nelson boys are. These talkies in the desert have proved most popular and during the last twelve months some 500 shows have been put on and have been enjoyed by more than 205,000 men of the fighting forces. I have only mentioned a few of the many ways in which patriotic funds are being used. “The following are some of the efforts and activities that have contributed in no small measure to the success of the year’s working: “The circular appeal was delivered to and collected from every householder and wage-earner when the £15,000 appeal was launched by some 200 members of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary. These ladies did a great job efficiently and well and the committee is grateful to every one of them. *

“The Patriotic Shop under the supervision of Mrs R. A. Stedman and Mrs J. A. Harley is a most important branch of patriotic activities and for the period Ist February to 30th September, 1942. has been responsible for contributing £2072 —a great effort. Every Thursday in each week the shop has been sponsored by various organisations which have been responsible for supplying well assorted stocks of goods of all kinds that have met with a ready sale. Purchasers have received value for their money and the donors of the goods have the pleasure and satisfaction of knowing they have been the means of contributing to the patriotic funds.

“The Masonic Hotel shop or receiving depot into which, the collectors of house and business money boxes have paid has been responsible for receiving and banking £1621 4s lOd, quite an excellent return which in the main repre-

sents sums of money that contributors agreed to give in weekly or monthly instalments. The very best thanks of the committee is accorded the holders of money boxes, those ladies and gentlemen who regularly collect the boxes and to the gentlemen who each week have acted as receiving agents in charge of the depot

“The members of the Nelson National Savings Committee most willingly cooperated and combined with the committee and gave very valuable help in the sale of Bomber Bonds which in turn were handed into the patriotic fund, in the sale of Soldier Comfort Coupons and also in the final stages of the campaign. There were also street days in aid of Sick and Wounded Fund, prisoners- of-war parcels, sale of comfort coupons, copper trails, wheelbarrow parade, daffodil day, bring and buys, weekly dances, concerts, bottle-o and community sings, etc.

“To carry out all the foregoing activities it must be quite evident that few if any persons in the city did not assist and help in some way, and on behalf of the committee I wish to thank most sincerely the following organisations for the wonderful assistance and wholehearted support that all have given. All co-ordinated and worked harmoniously together and with but one end in view and how well they succeeded is revealed in the amount collected.

“The members of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, Nelson Early Settlers’ Memorial Association, Returned Services’ Association, the staff of the receiving depot (Masonic shop), the Nelson Ministers’ Association, the Catholic clergy, Catholic Women’s Guild, Methodist Ladies’ Fellowship, Women’s War Service Auxiliary, Nelson Women’s Auxiliary Corps, Presbyterian Women’s Guild, Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Junior Red Cross, Toe H, Nelson Women’s Club, Church of Christ Women’s Guild, the staff of the Stoke Mental Hospital, the Post and Telegraph Women’s Guild, Mrs Pitt’s Sewing Circle, Nelson Townswomen’s Guild, Nelson West Townswomen’s Guild, Nelson Business Women’s Club, Baptist branch of the W.W.S.A., W.W.S.A. Domestic Hospital Workers, the Nelson Rotary Club, Nelson Croquet Association. Y.M.C.A., Nelson Girls’ College, Nelson Happiness Club, Nelson Golf Club, Nelson Girls’ College Old Girls’ Association, Cathedral Ladies’ Guild, Nelson Club, Nurses’ Association, P.W.D. Ladies’ Committee, Tui Bridge Club, Weekly Dance Club, Nelson Combined Swimming Clubs, the pupils of the Boys’ and Girls’ Colleges, St. Mary’s and the primary schools, Horticultural Society, the Community Sing Committee, Nelson Garrison Band. Nelson Pipe Band, the Combined Drapers, Buxtons Limited, Transport and Carriers’ Association, Licensed Victuallers’ Association and Wholesale Merchants, ‘Nelson Evening Mail,’ and station 2YN.” Mr Crawley made special reference to and expressed appreciation of the splendid work of the honorary secretary, Mr F. V. Powell. He moved the adoption of the report. The Rev. J. Hay, in seconding the motion, referred to it as a marvellous report which reflected great credit on the committee and its helpers. The Mayor, Mr E. R. Neale, remarked that the Nelson committee had had to do more than its share in helping to raise the provincial qjota as some parts of the district had fallen short. He pointed out that though the year ended on 30th September the war did not end then and the need for funds was still continuing. As chairman of the Provincial Council he greatly appreciated the work of the Nelson committee. The chairman supported the previous speaker on the necessity for continuing donations to collection boxes and he hoped that these would no* be handed in. It was no secret, he added, that the committee had £2OOO to its credit in thj bank and the new committee would start off with that amount in hand. NEW COMMITTEE The rollowing committee was elected: Mrs H. Atmore, representative of the W.W.S.A. (to be elected), Messrs A. H. Crawley, J. G. Ingram, J. A. Harley. F. V. Powell, C. C. Challies. A. B. Kidson. J. B. Carr, Charles Hamilton, C. W Lipscombe and a representative of the R.S.A. (to be elected). Mr Cra .viey thanked the meeting for the renewed vote of confidence in the committee. He asked for recommendations on the* methods of raising funds. Mr F Mitchell moved that as the committee’s efforts had been so successful and generally met with the approval of the public, the committee be asked to use similar methods this year as were used last year. Mr lugram seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Neale paid a tribute to the com-1 mittee for the way in which it abided : by the recommendation made at the \ annual meeting last year.