TWO APPEALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24448, 6 November 1940, Page 8

TWO APPEALS

A SPITFIRE FUND, , RELIEF FOR LONDON DISTRESS PATRIOTIC COUNCIL’S MEETING The bi-monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Provicial Patriotic Council was held yesterday afternoon, and was attended by Messrs J. J. Marlow (chairman). W. G. Kind ley, James Hogg, H. L. Gibson, W. B. Taverner. J. L. Salmond, Edgar Hazlett, Arthur Barnett, J. Sutherland Ross, E. W. Mitchell, J. M. White. H. L. Paterson, James Ritchie (Vincent zone), D. H. Ccckburn (Lakes zone) John Bennetts (Tuapeka zone). J- c °P la *? a (Balclutha zone), and Dr W. Newlands. Financial Mr Hazlett. chairman of the Finance Committee, recommended that accounts amounting to £365 2s 7d be passed for payment. The chief item of expenditure was for the purchase of wool. The accounts were passed for payment. Soldier’s Treatment Criticsed Dr Newlands, reporting on “ soldiers’ emergency,” referred to the case of a soldier who had been operated on for appendicitis and who had been discharged after receiving military pay for a fortnight and told he could obtain social security relief. He thought that the treatment being served out to this soldier was Quite unfair. ■, . ■ Mr White said he would like to record his protest against the treatment given' this particular soldier. - He took it that this was the Government’s policy, that was. if it had been rightly interpreted by the Defence Department, This soldier had served in the last war.' He was a single man,-but he was not without responsibilities. He had gone into camp oh July 7. After his operation he had had two weeks in a convalescent home and had received* 14 days’ pay after; discharge from the home. The man, had only received a- temporary discharge, and he took it he was still a member of the forces, yet his pay had been cut off. He had left a position at £4OO per year,, and was now on social security. It was a most unsatisfactory position, and was going to place bn the patriotic societies a load which should not be theirs. Until such time as a full discharge had been given, the soldier should have been paid, or he should have received a pension after he had been discharged. The man had not got either. Mr Paterson said that the same land of thing was to be found in other parts of the Dominion. it was decided to bring the matter under, the notice of the National Board.

Queen Carnival Mr Barnett said that he did not intend to make a report that afternoon on the recent carnival. He would make his report at the next meeting. He understood that the receipts.from the carnival campaign would be between £50,000 and £60,000. Mr Barnett paid a high tribute to the assistance given the campaign by the queens, the princesses, and. the chairmen and members of committees. No one could have had a finer lot ,o£ workers anywhere, said Mr Barnett, who added that he would like to make special mention of the work done by Mr A. C. Cameron. He thought that under the circumstances the result had proved satisfactory- (Hear, hear.) Mr Kindley said he would like to pay a tribute to the work of Mr Barnett. His inspiration and the enthusiasm with which he had invested the campaign right from the start han made it the success it had proved tv be Mr Barnett had no* spared S Pa Messrs h ßitchie. al |ennetts, andCockburn spoke of the fine work done by the various country committees ana the various princesses. Mr Ritchie said that the country people Pad made a happy choice when, they selected Miss Mary Pratt as their queen. £1,000,000 Appeal MajSr Abel, Dominion organiser for the £1.000,000 “Heart to iieart apaddressed the meeting at some length. He explained that he wished Otago to co-operate in the appeal foi £1 000 000 for the purposes of inn relief of London distress, after care of the soldiers, etc y H ® Otago should co-operate only m the raising of its quota of say, mfhe London Distress Fund. The Otago campaign for the Spitfire Fund would stand by itself. It would be quite distinct from the London distress appeal It was decided to open a Fund for Otago and also to co-operate with the Dominion organisation in newspaper and radio a PP® al . London Distress Fund. The latter ai peal will close on November 25. Visit to Aerodrome Squadron Leader G. Stedman wrote inviting members of the execu tive to make a visit to the Taien Aerodrome.—The invitation was accepted. Air Force Parade Mr Hogg gav4 details of the parade of the Air Force in Dunedin on Friday night. He said that this i wouldl be the first full parade of the R.N.Z.A.F. (Taieri Station). It would be led by the Royal Air Force Band from tho Rongotai Air Force Station, Wellington Tnder the control of Flight-l eu-' tenant Gladstone Hill. A concert was to be held in the Town Hall, after the parade, which would start at 7 o clock. The proceeds of the concert are to go to the Spitfire Fund. Appreciation Mrs A. K. Scott, of Elm row. wrote conveying thanks from her nephew and friends in Egypt for gift parcels. These had been very much appreciated.