WAR MEMORIAL.

Waipa Post, Volume XXI, Issue 1242, 13 May 1922, Page 5

WAR MEMORIAL.

TE AWAMUTU COMMITTEE. CAMPAIGN FOR ONE THOUSAND STERLING. The aKourned meeting of the Te AwamutiFWar Memorial Committee was held in the Town Hall yesterday, when Mr H. Y. Collins presided. There was present a representative gathering of ladies and gentlemen. The chairman read the notice calling the meeting, and apologised for the absence of Mesdames R. Lord and E. M. Locke, Rev. Father Edge, Mr and Mrs J. G. Wynyard, and Messrs E. J. Taylor, T. P. Clark, M. H. Willi- ' ams, and C. G. Downes. It was not proposed that day to discuss the nature of the memorial, but the manner in which to raise the funds. The list of subscriptions so far received had .been published in the Waipa Post, and he hoped that would act as an incentive to others to contribute.

Mr C. F. Battson thought it a mistake not to decide what form the memorial should take. They should have a definite object in view, and if they did not he prophesied failure. Something definite should be arrived at, and he was convinced there would then be little difficulty in raising the amount required. 'Some people who could not afford to give monetarily would be able to help in the way of goods, etc., and if a market day, such as they had held during the war period, were inaugurated, other people could buy, and the fund would benefit therefrom. Yoluntary Support Wanted. Mr Armstrong held the suggestion to be out of order, as the circular convening the meeting specifically stated that only ways and means should he discussed. Previously the Borough Council had had a definite object in view, namely, a monument. However, that became so unpopular that a public meeting was called and decided upon a vestibule. The result was a failure. The better plan, therefore, in the light of past failure, would be to collect the money and then call the subscribers together, and let them decide the form the memorial should take. He knew the financial conditions obtaining, and, as the money would not be required until the monument or whatever form the memorial took was about to be erected or completed, he thought as long as the people definitely committed themselves by promissory note or otherwise to a certain subscription they could proceed, knowing the amount would be forthcoming. He still adhered to the idea of voluntary subscriptions, but in view of past failures he hoped that in whatever way the money was raised they would get sufficient to erect a memorial. He noticed that when the Governor-Gen-eral unveiled the Raglan memorial at Raglan the people’s proud boast was that it had been provided by the spontaneous contributions of the residents. He moved that subscriptions be received spontaneously. Rev. F. A. Thompson seconded the amendment. He was against entertainment or other such forms of getting money for this worthy object. He should like to see the people contribute spontaneously. Mrs H. Y. Collins concurred. It was a debt of honour which should be paid without canvassing for it. If responsible people in town guaranteed the cost she was satisfied the amonut would be forthcoming. It would be ■disgraceful to go on a house-to-house canvass in a matter whereon their honour was at stake. If they started a monument they would get the money. Some people in Te Awamutu had made money out of the war, and would subscribe liberally when the right time came. (Applause.) Rev. A. M. Niblock supported. If an appeal was made to the people they would respond in the right way, because their hearts were sound. He oppdsed any sales of work or anything of that kind for such a purpose, as the donations should be spontaneous to such a sacred cause. He agreed with Mr 'Battson that there should he a definite object, and held they should fix a day for closing the lists, and the response would then show the devotion and patriotism of the people, which he held would not fail to provide them with the wherewithal to erect a memorial in keeping with the spirit and importance of the occasion. Definite Scheme Essential. •Mr S. Walker said that the Returned Soldiers’ Association had considered the matter, and, while desiring voluntary contributions, agreed that the money should be obtained by some means, so as to secure a memorial. He, however, thought some definite scheme essential to success, and did not see any objection to townspeople being reminded of their obligations in the matter..

Mr Thompson thought some approximate amount should be aimed at. Was the monument confined to the town alone, or was it to be extended into the district?

The chairman said of course they would not encroach on those townships which had, or were arranging, thejr own memorials. Ayr Thompson thought that the town should be divided into blocks, and everybody asked to contribute. A lot of people, while not unwilling, only required to be asked to give. The chairman’s inclination was to support voluntary contributions, as it was a sacred duty they owed the men. But they were only human, and after ali a little personal application was desirable. Possibly sub-committees should be formed, and the members could then remind the people of their obligations. Mr 'F. J. Gilbert asked whether Mr Armstrong would add £IOOO as the ■definite amount aimed at. Mr Armstrong would not consent, preferring to leave the amount indefinite. If it were confined to the borough perhaps £IOOO would be too much. What he meant by .voluntary subscriptions debarred entertainments, but did not preclude people being waited upon for subscriptions. The result so far had proved that in the past the community had not been in earnest in the matter. Since Anzac Day, however, the community had been aroused, and now there was an imperative demand for a memorial worthy of the town

and in keeping with the sacred nature of the object in view. The motion was carried. Closing of Subscriptions. Mr Niblock moved that subscriptions be received up to six weeks from date, and that the list close on 30th June. This was seconded by :Mr F. J. Gilbert and carried. Mr J. Oliphant moved that all those present not already on the committee be elected members. Mr Thompson seconded the motion, which was carried. ■Rev. iS. Henderson thought that quite a lot of money would be received within the six weeks, and at the conclusion of that period they could have another meeting and decide if it would be necessary to divide the town into areas and canvass the people.

Mrs 'Collins thought it would be a good idea to have certain days set apart for receiving donations. She thought a definite form of memorial should be decided upon. !Mr Niblock thought the autocratic method the best. The quibbling came from those who were desirous of dodging—not from those who had been touched by the war and earnestly desired a memorial. ‘He suggested the choice should be made by the Borough Council as representing the whole of the people in consultation with representatives of the committee and returned soldiers. The chairman said that could not be done as it was precluded by the notice of the meeting.

Mr Gilbert thought they would have something tangible if they decided to get a memorial for a definite amount.' They should go to the public with a definite amount in view. The chairman said the matter could be dealt with at some future meeting. Mr Henderson said the Borough Council could bring down a proposal at next meeting. Mr Armstrong said the Council would speedily do that once it knew the amount available.

Mrs Collins suggested that it be advertised that the ladies would be in attendance at the Town Hall one whole day a week to secure subscriptions. Ladies’ Committee. Mr Niblock moved, and Mr Gilbert seconded, that the ladies present constitute a ladies’ committee, with Mrs Collins as chairwoman, and that they be empowered to act in any way they thought desirable. —Carried. Mr Oliphant suggested to the ladies to get a bower in the main street, which they could successively man, and which would afford them a means of catching passers-by.

The chairman said another means would be to get the school children to take advertising circulars home to their parents. Rev. Mr Henderson thought it a mistake not to name a sum, say £1000; it was too nebulous at present. He moved that the minimum sum aimed at be £IOOO.

This was seconded by Mrs Collins and carried.

Mr Armstrong strongly appealed to all present to bring the matter to a final and successful conclusion, as it had already been hanging over the community for too long, and debarring other worthy objects. Mr A. S. Wallace said that 95 per cent of the people were in favour of a straight-out monument. (Hear, hear.) They should state definitely what form 'the memorial was to take.

Mr A. E. Patterson agreed. That was the most representative gathering they had had, and should proceed to decide the form of memorial. Mr Battson supported the idea of a monument, and thought they should decide upon it at that meeting. He moved accordingly. There was no seconder to Mr Battson’s motion. The chairman said the motion was entirely opposed to the notice of meeting. He favoured Mr Niblock’s idea of referring the matter to the Borough Council. Rev. Mr Henderson moved that the meeting adjourn until Ist June, on which date, if the necessary money was not forthcoming, they could divide the town into blocks and canvass. Seconded by Mr Gilbert and carried. The secretary reported that some of the subscriptions already received were tagged that they must be returned if anything other than a monument were decided upon. Public feeling was certainly in favour of a monument.

Mr Armstrong opposed a decision that afternoon. He had no doubt it would finally be decided to have a monument, hut he thought the subscribers should finally decide. The chairman concurred, and the discussion dropped. It was agreed that the men’s committee meet weekly, on Thursdays, at 7.30 p.m. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.