LOCAL WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 12

LOCAL WORK

COMMITTEE PEESONNEL RETURNED MEN'S PROTEST TOO FEW REPRESENTATIVES The poor representation of returned soldiers on the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council and the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee was criticised at~ the quarterly meeting of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association last night. There was considerable discussion on the subject, and at one stage it was suggested that the president, Mr. J. W. Kendall, should resign from the organisation as a protest. Finally the meeting passed a resolution making a strong protest at the poverty of the representation of returned soldiers on the two organisations, and expressing the opinion that at least 50 per cent of the membership should consist of returned soldiers. Case for an Increase When the suggestion was made that the president should resign, Mr. Kendall said ho was not happy about the position, and, if members wished him to resign, ho was ready to fall in with their wishes. He mentioned various organisations represented and added that the Returned Soldiers' Association should bo entitled to at least 50 per cent representation. "No ono understands returned men lilro ourselves,'' said Mi. Kendall. "We know what is in front of the young men and what they may come back to. We claim that we have more sympathy with them and arc better able to attend to their needs than any civilian, and we consider this organisation is entitled to larger representation." Legislation Supported Mrs. M. E. McComb said that neither of these patriotic organisations was represented by people who had been through an emergency or men who had had to do with returned men during the depression period and also the men who came back just after the last war. The fact that ex-servicewomen and ex-nursing sisters wero not represented was also mentioned, and a similar resolution of protest was adopted. Reference to the legislation dealing with patriotic funds was 'made by Mr. Kendall, who assured members that the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association had had a part in it. In tho association's opinion it was necessary and there was nothing wrong with it.

MANAWATU CRITICISM 1 CUMBERSOME REGULATIONS BLOW TO LOCAL EFFORTS [by telegraph—own correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Wednesday Criticism of the elaborate machinery established for the handling of patriotic funds and the belief that the regulations would cripple any spontaneous giving by the people of the city and district were expressed by members of the zone D committee for the centennial celebrations. "It seems to me that we are going from one extreme to the other," said Mr. A. E. Mansford. "Tho heart has been taken out of any local efforts. My opinion is that the whole thing is too cumbersome. If someone wants to send a safety-razor to someone in camp they have to go through all these commit*t GGS.'' Mr. A. E. Pyde (Shannon) : It boils down to this—they won't raise funds with any confidence. Mr. Iv. A. Henderson (Palmerston North): Are they asking us to deal with patriotic funds? Mr. Mansford: There is a provincial fund in Wellington, and all funds we raise here go there. If we want funds for local effort we have to ask them if we can have them. There are eight or nine provincial councils, and there is not one for any Palmerston North funds. If wo want to make shirts we have to apply for permission from Wellington.

PAY OF SOLDIERS

SUBSIDY BY TAXATION r * — ELLERSLIE RESOLUTION A resolution recommending the Government to consider imposing special taxation to provide funds to subsidise the rates of pay for soldiers during war service was adopted by the Ellerslie Borough Council last night. A letter received from the Municipal Association stated it had been decided not to recommend the payment of any subsidy by local bodies to members of their staffs enlisting, for the reason that such subsid}' would lead to an unfair discrimination in favour of soldiers who were local body employees This principle,- added the letter, was apparently recognised by the Government, which was making no such payment to public servants who enlisted. Mr. ' S. Pemberton said he had favoured local bodies giving a lead. He considered that a soldier should receive at least the same as those who stayed at home. Mr. J. Mclnnarney said Mr. Pemberton was actually advocating an increase in the rates of pay for soldiers. The whole position bristled with difficulties, but no harm might be done by conveying tho council's views to the Government. He felt, however, it might be a lone voice in tho wilderness.