REPRESENTATION ON PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 24497, 26 July 1941, Page 8

REPRESENTATION ON PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

CENTRAL SOUTHLAND DISSATISFIED A resolution that quarterly meetings of the Southland Provincial Patriotic Council should be held, one to be an annual meeting at which the executive would be elected, and that each patriotic committee in Southland should have one representative on the council, was passed at a meeting of Patriotic Committee delegates which was held in Winton this week. The meeting resulted in the establishment of a committee at Winton to be known as the Central Southland Zone Committee. Messrs W. J. Bennett and R. Bretneiton were elected chairman and secretary respectively, and it was decided to nominate Mr James Robb, Lochiel, for a seat on the provincial executive. About 30 delegates were present from Hedgehope, Springhills, Browns, Hokonui, Tussock Creek, Lochiel, Winton, Oreti, Drummond, Heddon Bush, South Hillend, Limehills and Otapiri-Lora Gorge. It was revealed that to date over £8350 had been subscribed in the district. It was stated that canvassers were meeting difficulties through lack of information, and a proposal was carried that the next provincial balance-sheet with more detailed information, should be sent to all committees. The movement for better representation had arisen, it was stated, not from lack of appreciation of the work of the Southland executive, nor from doubt about administration, but mainly because the conversion of a centennial committee into a patriotic council bad not proved satisfactory, since some members expressed an unwillingness to attend meetings. The committees scattered throughout the province had also been out of touch with the parent body.

A letter from the Ohai Committee showed that this body had already taken action, the reply from the Southland Council stating that “the matter was to be discussed during the coming session of the House.”

The Winton proposal is the result of simultaneous action by three patriotic committees, one of which, South Hillend, communicated with every committee in Southland. In the replies received to date need for improved representation was emphasized by various committees from outside the Winton area, including Mossburn, Roslyn Bush, Isla Bank, Gummies Bush, Seaward Downs and Quarry Hills.