APPEAL FOR FUNDS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 236, 6 May 1933, Page 4

APPEAL FOR FUNDS

Relief of Distress STRATFORD MEN'S ORGANISATION 500 Half-crowns Wanted Prompt action was the keynote of a meeting of representatives of men's organisations in Stratford held in the Borough Chambers last evening for the purpose of setting in train arrangements to raise funds for the relief of the distressed in the town and district. The meeting, over which the May-or-elect, Air, .1. W. McMillan, presided, was attended. I>y over 20 representatives of various organisaand after some discussion it was decided to launch an immediate' appeal for 500 half-crowns. Those present. promptly contributed and over £3 was raised in a few minutes. A preliminary and an entertainment committee were set up, and at a larger meeting to be held next Tuesday evening plans for raising funds will be tabled. ■ '>fl The organisations represented were: Chamber of Commerce, Hiuemoa Lodge, Scottish Society, Unemployment Committee, Stratford Tennis Club, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, Efficiency Club, Stratford Hockey Club, Stratford Operatic Society. Mr. McMillan said that, those fortunate enough to be in employment should do their best to assist, those not so fortunate. The Government was doing as much as possible, but at the same time it, was below that which allowed decent, living. Especially during the winter months was it. an onus on everyone who possibly could to subsidise us much as possible the assistance already given. Work of Women's Committee

Mrs Thomson explained that the : women's committee had been in | operation for two years. Last year it] had £'.',o on which to operate, £1" j having been carried forward from the j previous year. At present the com- j mittee had only £3 in hand. "We feel { that it is going to be a hard win- j ter," continued Mrs Thomson, "and | it is necessary that especially the J men on relief work be provided with i warm outfits. Our local unemployed j have been very wonderful during the l stressful period as they have not ask-! ed for help, and apart from that very! few received it. We would like to ; give them clothing without them hav- ! ing to ask for it." In reply to Mr. R. H. White, Mrs.! Thomson said that the committee in- ' tended to continue making up gar-; ments. j About £IOO Required Mr. N. 11. Moss: How much money ! is needed? I Mrs Thomson: We had £3O last! year, but we would like £BO or £IOO. ! The need is so much greater and j there will not be the same amount of i second-hand clothing available. Mrs Thomson and Mrs Bowler then ! retired and the meeting immediately'; entered into a round table discussion ' on the matter. Mr. Moss said he was of opinion that the meeting should be more representative of the men of Stratford. it was a matter ror every man wii.h ; an income. He questioned whether the meeting should not be adjourned ! so that a more representative gath- j ering could be secured. .■ Mr. McMillan agreed that the' meeting should be a larger and more representative one.

Mr. T. W. Smith, on behalf of the Scottish Society, promised the full full .support of the Society in any scheme that was launched. Mr. D. E. White (Efficiency Club) suggested that several schemes could be put into operation. He suggested that entertainments and similar functions would be lucrative, while the Efficiency Club would be willing to provide public debates. Mr. Moss said mat his experience of entertainments was that they took a long time to produce, and in the end mere was not a great amount it profit. A halt-crown appeal would, iie considered, bring in hard cash immediately—it should not be hard to raise £3O by sucii means. Two hundred and forty half-crowns would ue coiitriuiiied m a lew days. He empnasised mat money was needed immediately. Mr. it. 11. White supported the suggestion and recalled mat a few years ago a half-crown appeal had met witii success, lie understood me butchers had a scheme tor assisting the unemployed, and pernaps me bakers aiso had some plan in view. Community Singing Community singing as an enjoyable cni.uruunun.nL merauve to the cause was suggested by Mr. Vincent, who said that at any time a New Plymouth team would visit Stratford and assist to stage a programme. The suggestion tor making an appeal for cash was supported by Mr. H. E. Lawrence, wiio considered, however, that the amount could lie hxed at one shilling in the first instance. He further suggested that the local picture company be asked to slage a beneht peilormance—such a scheme would bring in cash immediately. Mr. McMillan said that a public fund could be opened—possibly under the: title of tin; Mayor's Fund —in order to allow people who could afford to do so to make more substantial and straight-out donations, in regard 10 entertainments he had experienced that (he expenses were usually more than they should be. Mr, Smith considered that a ball would be a lucrative function. Although the expenses would be comparatively heavy, the lay-out would be justified it the function was conducted on the right lines. An amount of £2O could be raised easily. Hah'-crown Appeal -Air. Moss moved that the meeting issue an immediate appeal for 50') half-crowns, as an emergency appeal. Mr. T. \V. Smith seconded, stating that donors would riot bo necessarily confined to giving only half-a-crown. Eltham's Gala Day "it is surprisng," said the Postmaster (Mr. l). MeCreailyi, 'That El1 1mm has been moving in a community effort and raising a large sum of money when larger towns have do>ie nothing. '■ He said that Eltham had conducted a gala dav on a bie «.-ale and cleared about. £•..-,. As evW„m" •"":*•. 'hr : »M..i„ r .|0».:.1 V. n -„ j,,,, *'■'•.•'■.•jiinu .''long.' ami ii «■;,-. ■],., '''">•- ; ■•»••••■>■ Mi:,.,, ,„ ;; „,.i,,, „; _.,

On the motion of Mr. Hoskin it was resolved that the Mayor be ', asked to open a public fund. A preliminary committee was electIcu as follows: Messrs. N. H. Moss ; J. C. McDowall, R. H. White, T. w! I Smith, S. Hayton. Entertainment committee: .Messrs. 11. E. Lawrence j R. Hook, D. E. White, F. a. Clarke R. Vincent. T. Boyle, with power ic> sdd. A meeting', which ii: i.- evprcifd w ! 1 , be largely atknded, will !>.• tu-ld ...-> Tu> - iln% ii"\i. Mrtcn itu- eoKlm;iTf<'s ; >\ ill i ••i'.'n on tii'-ir i.h.jm.«-..k.