PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 321, 11 October 1940, Page 2

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE MEETING APPEAL TO BE LAUNCHED £I4OO AIMED AT IN 3_MONTHS The monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Opotiki Patriotic Committee was held in the Borough Chambers last night wheoMr. T. I. Steele presided over a good attendance of members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the secretary, Mr. G. W. Button, and confirmed. Apologies were received from Mrs. P. Fox, Miss C. Armstrong, Messrs. C. Gordon and W. A. Gault. Mrs. Inskip reported that the Women’s Patriotic Auxiliary committee had' decided to donate to Hostess House, at Papakura Camp, one day’s takings at the Patriotic Shop. The secretary explained the position in regard to the short supply of wool in Opotiki. The chairman spoke in reference to the collection of scrap’ metal. He suggested that a sub-committee be formed to undertake this work. The following committee was elected: Mr. W. Frew (convener), Messrs, de Montalk, S. Jeplison, G. Shalfoon, Baigent, with power to add. Mr. de Montalk offered the school’s assistance in this work, and suggested that the children be asked to collect copper to begin with. Mr. Baigent suggested that a “bottles drive” take place in conjunction with the collection of non-ferrous metals. It was decided to adopt this suggestion. Rev. Hampton reported in connection with the Home and Personal Committee. He said good work had been done but more funds were required. Mr. Bunkall, chairman of the Finance committee explained the position regarding financial assistance for this particular work. Mr. Steele stated that Messrs. Bunkall and Baigent had accompanied him to Auckland on the matter of the Provincial Fund Appeal. Mr. Baigent represented Opotiki on the Auckland Council. Mr. Bunkall reported on the visits to Auckland and Tauranga, the trip being made in an endeavour to secure better control- even if they failed to retain • certain money locally.' Both Opotiki and Whakatanc secured representation. Mr. Bunkall said that no part of the travelling expenses would fall on patriotic funds. At Tauranga they had succeeded in passing a remit that not less than eight meetings of the Council be held each year. In Auckland it was found that an important matter had been omitted from the order paper, and accordingly a new order paper was drawn up. Another matter put through, continued Mr. Bunkall was that those appointed automatically should lose their seats on the council if they were absent from two consecutive meetings without excuse. Another question was whether the local body elections would affect the personnel of the council. They dealt with the matter of expenditure out of funds and the speaker felt that it was better to reinstate men out of funds. Mr. Bunkall’ s impression was that Opotiki was up against zone headquarters at Tauranga, and their visit to Auckland confirmed this suspicion. Mr. Baigent, the official representative thanked Messrs Steele and Bunkall for accompanying him to Auckland and Tauranga, and was satisfied that they showed that they were anxious to get on with the job. Mr. Steele said that he thought the main body-of men on the council an excellent type. At the Auckland meeting it was resolved to hold a secretaries’ conference.

Mr. L. Davies then reported on the secretaries’ conference. He stated that ho found that Opotiki’s three representatives had created an excellent impression in Auckland. The basis of allocation was revised at the conference. The Bay allocation was previously £15,000 but it was reduced to £11,250. Mr. Davies stated that when parcels are forwarded to headquarters, a refund on sales tax could be claimed. At the conference Mr. Davies had supported the motion that money from the radio appeal should be credited to each district. In reply to a question by the chairman, Mr. Davies said that the appeal would bo for the period of one year. Mr. Button also spoke briefly on the secretaries’ conference, stating that there was a suggestion that a Gorman aeroplane brought down in England should be imported and a charge made to view it. Campaign To Be Launched Mr. Steele said that the time had been reached when Opotiki take its share in collecting the

money for our own boys. “We have a duty, and I hope we are prepared to do it,” continued Mr. Steele: He could sec no reason why Opotiki should not raise its quota of about £I4OO for 12 months.

Mr. Bunkall said that it might suit some people to pay by instalments. It might a.lso be advisable to fix on a shorter) period. Other speakers supported this suggestion. 1

Mr. Bunkall stated that Opotiki’s amount worked out at 12 per cent, of the zone amount.

Mr. Steele moved that the Opotiki Patriotic' Committee enter upon a campaign to raise its share of the Auckland Provincial Appeal and that! it asks the chairman of the finance committee to undertake the preliminary arrangements for the appeal. Mr. T. G. Johnson seconded the motion.

Mr. Steele said he was strongly in favour of it.

Mr. Baigent said that they had not lost sight of trying to retain a portion of the money here. Mr. Short stressed the necessity of getting the campaign over a s soon as possible. Hq considered that a certain amount of success had been attained in making conditions better.

Mr. E. Thompson also spoke in favour of launching the appeal. Mr. Shalfoon considered it a simple task after what had been raised in Opotiki during the last war.

Mrs. Gault suggested that Opotiki try to be the first to get its quota into headquarters. The suggestion was adopted.

Mr. Steele’s motion concerning the launching of a campaign was carried unanimously. Mr. Baigent’s motion to operate on the imprest account.was seconded by Mr. Bunkall and carried. It was decided to apply for £SO. The treasurer, Mr. J. A. T. Henry, presented a very comprehensive report for which he was heartily thanked. Mrs. Inskip reported that seven cases of goods for refugees in Britain had been forwarded. One box of cut-out goods had been sent to the Raukokore young people’s club. Thanks were due to Mr. Hove for his work in connection with this. The secretary was asked to write to the provincial secretary concerning the supply of 200 comforts booklets.