WAR ACTIVITIES IN TIMARU

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21507, 21 November 1939, Page 5

WAR ACTIVITIES IN TIMARU

Entertaining Visiting Troops

Address By Mayor An outline of war activities in Timaru was given by the Mayor (Mr W. G. Tweedy) in a luncheon address to the members of the Timaru Rotary Club in the Bay Tea Rooms yesterday. Rotarian W. D. Campbell presided. After the troops from South Canterbury were drafted into camp at Burnham, said Mr Tweedy, it was known that some leave would be granted to them, but it was not known to what extent. After some weeks it was noticed that a number of men, not only residents of Timaru, were visiting the town and in many cases were wandering around with little to occupy them. A committee of citizens immediately got to work to cater for the men and provide entertainment and meals. The problem of a hall for the purpose was solved by the generous offer of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of the use of the Sailors’ Rest, and for the last two Sundays upwards of 100 men had been entertained there, and the arrangements put in hand had worked very smoothly. Mr Tweedy expressed a hope that the citizens would give the necessary support to enable the work to continue. It was the aim '.hat different organisations of persons should act as hosts to the men each week. At the present time the number of offers received from organisations willing to give their co-oper-ation was sufficient to fill requirement." until the end of January. Supervision, Mr Tweedy continued, would in the hands of the general committee, which would lay down the requirements. It would be suggested to the hosts tnat they obtain the services of at least six helpers, but in cases of need the services of voluntary aids would be available. One of the conditions the committee would insist on, Mr Tweedy said, was the provision of a standardised meal, which he proceeded to outline. Advertisement for Town The essential aim of the committee was to entertain the men on leave in Timaru and to let them see that the public of Timaru appreciated the sacrifices which they had undertaken. It was also hoped that the hospitality would react in favour of South Canterbury men in other parts of New Zealand, where similar facilities were not available. Further, it was considered that the entertaining of men from other centres would set;ve as a valuable advertisement for the town. Taken around in cars, the men were shown the beauty spots of the town, and in later life, even if the men were not induced to settle in Timaru, they would at least be likely to choose Timaru as a holiday centre. Patriotic Funds Turning to the position of the patriotic war funds, Mr Tweedy said that during the last war no adequate control had been exercised of the raising of funds and it was open to anyone to appeal for funds or to organise a collection on their own initiative. The result was that there were 600 separate funds in the Dominion, and in a large number of cases the money was not fully accounted for. In some instances the expenses had been abnormal, and in others there had been wilful misappropriation of the funds. On this occasion the Government had insisted upon a degree of control which would insure that any funds raised would be applied to the express purpose for which they were given. After outlining the Government scheme of control and the division of the Dominion into eleven districts, Mr Tweedy went on to sketch the endeavours made to have South Canterbury made a separate district under the regulations, in the conviction that under such an arrangemene the district would take a greater interest and keenness in the raising and distributing of the funds raised in South Canterbury. The Minister, however, had declined to grant the request, and a further application had been made for South Canterbury to be constituted a separate zone in the Canterbury Provincial "istrict. No decision had yet been made on that point, but as soon as notice was received a committee would be set up and would function immediately. One difficulty in the path of the patriotic committees, Mr Tweedy continued, was the lack of a plan or a lead from the Government as to what was required. There was a doubt as to amount of assistance wanted, the number of men who were to be called up and to whether the men would be required to go overseas, although in the opinion of the speaker men would be sent overseas if the war continued fr ■ any length of time. The consequent hold-up had unfortunately dampened the ardour of many willing workers, especially women, who were anxious to get on with the job. However, the Government’s action was right in principle. Mr Tweedy said, and the public could now be assured that any money raised for patriotic purposes would be so applied. Emergencies Committee Mr Tweedy went on to deal with the formation of committees for passible emergencies in the district, and claimed that had the occasion arisen the organisation would have gone into action smoothly. In addition the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance had been active and a great number of voluntary aides had been trained and were competent to go into service at short notice. He expressed the hope thr.t the services of these trainees would be utilised at the military camps. Other committees were also formed and ready to function as soon as the Government gave an indication of its Intentions. Mr Tweedy also made reference to the formation in Timaru of two companies of the National Military Reserve manned by Returned Soldiers, who had demonstrated that they were still able to give a good account of themselves. Mr Tweedy was accorded a vote of thanks for his address. The meeting later adopted a motion recommending the directors of the Rotary Club to apply to act as hosts to the visiting troops.