PAYMENT REFUSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 276, 22 November 1945, Page 5

PAYMENT REFUSED

SALARIES FOR N.Z. TEAM FOR GREECE ATTITUDE OF PATRIOTIC FUND BOARD (P.A.) Wellington, Nov. 22. Emphatic refusals to support a suggested payment of £7OOO from patriotic funds for salaries for a New Zealand relief team in Greece were heard at the national conference of Patriotic Cctincil representatives to-day. By an overwhelming majority the proposal was rejected. A-deputation waited on the conference from the Council of Organisations for Relief Overseas, setting out plans for the early dispatch of a team of New Zealand workers to Greece.

Mr. C. G. White, for C.0.R.5.0., said they had come to ask whether the Patriotic Fund authorities would rei lease a certain amount of funds collected for overseas relief for the cost of a team from New Zealand for relief in Greece. It was thought there was no more fitting place for New Zealanders to go than Greece. Later it was intended to send teams to the Far East and other places.

Mr. White said that £6OOO or £7OOO would tide C.0.R.5.0. over its immediate requirements It had been thought street days could be held, but it was found the dates were not available. The need was urgent, and so this approach was being made. It was necessary for Now Zealand to find the salaries of its own people. That was what the money was needed for. Monsignor A. J. McCrea, a second member of the deputation, said a New Zealand unit should have been in Greece already but the organisation was delayed because of lack of funds. After the deputation had withdrawn the Hon. W. Perry said “in view of the hole they’re in we should make a grant of £7OOO to enable them to get away the first team. That will be the end of it, because, after that, they will be raising their own funds. He moved that £7OOO be made available.

The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. A. C. Alluni, said he must protest against the motion. iTiis money was wanted to pay wages to voluntary workers going overseas. He had received protests from a number of people who had volunteered for such work, and were surprised to discover that payment was to be made, and wanted to know why. He was informed there was strong objection to the money raised fot patriotic purposes being used to pay these wages. Whether that opinion was right or wrong, he could not say, but it was very strongly held in many quarters.

As soon as Mr. Allum had finished speaking the Mayors, councillors and others, from all parts of the country, rose to join in a chorus of protest at the proposal to make the money available. They claimed the public would strongly object.

The Hon. Vincent Ward said the Wellington Provincial Council recognised that the monies would be spent for relief overseas, hut did not agree to the use of patriotic funds for paying wages for people working for C.0.R.5.0. . •

After several more speakers had expressed the same views, the chairman, Mr. B. J. Jacobs, said further discussion was unnecessary. He nut the motion, but it found practically no support.