SALVAGING WASTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 228, 26 September 1945, Page 4

SALVAGING WASTE

WANGANUI’S DISTINCTION

CERTIFICATES OF MERIT The distinction of being among the [few people in New Zealand to gam certificates of merit from the National Council for the Reclamation of Waste Materials has been earned by two municipal drivers in Wanganui, two members of the W.W.S.A. and four Boy Scout troops, all of whom gave their services continuously durihg the campaign for salvaging waste paper in the city. The certificates were presented by the chairman, of the National Council. Mr. J. W. Collins (Wellington) at a gathering in the City Council Chambers last night. Mr. Collins said the campaign for the salvaging of waste was a splendid help towards the Dominion’s war effort and it was hoped that the total nett proceeds from the sale of these materials would reach £50,000, all of which would go, or had already gone, to the patriotic funds.

The certificates of merit were not awarded indiscriminately and had to be earned. Of the thousands who had volunteered their services throughout. New Zealand, only 53 had qualified for certificates. Boy Scouts in Wanganui were distinct from others because they had given their services continuously. Only troops in Wanganui, Taumarunui and Whangarei had been, awarded certificates. Certificates were presented to Messrs. J. Saltinstall and H. Benson, two City Council drivers who volunteered their services every Saturday morning for four years, and to Mrs. S. Barber and Miss Joan Bates, both members of the W.W.S.A., who also gave their services throughout the war period for the collection of waste paper.

A certificate was also presented tc each of the following Boy Scout troops: Glasgow Eagles Ward's Own: Ist. Wanganui East; Gonville Troop; Durie Hill troop. Each troop was represented by a scoutmaster and three boys. Also present were the District Commissioner, Mr. C. W. Baker, the president of the Wanganui Boy Scouts’ Association, Mr. M. G. Bignell, the district scoutmaster, Mr. G. L. Culver. Each Scout present was either wearing the Boy Scouts’ National Service Badge, or was awaiting one. This badge is awarded to each boy who performed more than 100 hours of national service during the war years. National service embraces a wide range of duties, including the E.P.S., work with the bomb disposal group, books and the collection of buttons, old clothes and other articles for the relief of distress in war devastated countries.

The chairman of the Wanganui Committee for the Reclamation of Waste materials, Mr. G. Murch, who presided, said the work of this body would probably come to an end. The committee was established more than five years ago and during that period the citizens had given whole-hearted co-operation. The committee’s thanks were due to the Wanganui City Council, the Wanganui Education Board, schoolchildren, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, the W.W.S.A. individual committee members. Special thanks were due to Messrs. Saltinstall and Benson for driving their trucks voluntarily on Saturday mornings to colleqt waste paper in the business area. The Mayor, Hon. W. J. Rogers, said the people of Wanganui had always responded well to any calls made on them. “Size for size and population for population, Wanganui will hold its own with any other town or city in New Zealand.” the Mayor added. Mr. Collins said it was a pleasure to present the certificates to those who so richly deserved them. The National Council for the Reclamation of Waste Materials was formed early in the year. It was yet another job in New Zealand’s splendid war effort and one of the first to respond in Wanganui was Mr. Murch. ‘The job was well done and people stuck to this unattractive work right through lhe war period,” Mr. Collins added. "It was not a pleasant task, handling all these materials, but the people responsible for doing it carried on." Referring to the effort in Wanganui, Mr. Collins said that much credit was due to the City Council, the Mayor and the council staff. More than £lOOO was earned in Wanganui for the patriotic funds and this money was spent on providing comforts for service personnel overseas. Throughout New Zealand thousands of pounds had been raised in this way and though there had been some expenditure involved this was kept to h minimum because there were no administrative costs.

As an example of what had been accomplished, Mr. Collins said that up to the end of June, last, 26,000 tons of waste paper were sent to mills in New Zealand. This represented the combined efforts of 110 committees in the Dominion. These 26.0(H) tons were the equivalent of 150,000 of wool. In addition, 600,000 used tyres were collected from all parts of New Zealand and in this aspect of the work Bov Scouts had also given splendid service. In Wanganui they had volunteered their services for Ihe collection of paper and other materials and had shown, a fine public spirit. “Their fine and sustained effort is greatly appreciated by the Government and the Naticnal Council,” said Mr. Collins.

The total contribution to patriots funds as the result of waste material, being salvaged in New Zealand was £45,976, but it was hoped that this figure would be increased bv between £2500 and £3OOO as the result of efforts since March 31, last. “In fact, we hope that the total will reach £50.000," Mr. Collins added. The speaker commented that because of the improved supply position the disbanding of committes set up for the reclamation of waste materials in New Zealand was justified, but their work was warmly appreciated. So far as Wanganui was concerned, the National Council had been kepi fully posted as to what was being accomplished. Tributes were due also : to the tow-' clerk, Mr. C. R. White, and his staff.

“I don't think we would have been able to carry on in Wanganui had it not been for the ladies and the Boy Scouts,” said Mr. Saltinstall. Mr. Baker said the action of Mr. Collins in coming from Wellington Io present the certificates was greatly appreciated.