Wanganui Committee Of Aid To Britain Campaign Winds Up

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 September 1950, Page 4

Wanganui Committee Of Aid To Britain Campaign Winds Up

The Wanganui Aid-to-Britain Committee was officially wound up yesterday. Complimentary references were paid by several speakers to the humanitarian work the committee had done since it was set up with an organising secretary on August 2, 1948. Dr. R. G. Hampton, former secretary of the National Council, said that it was an unhappy occasion. The National Council had had a great respect for the Wanganui committee as it had been one of the most active in the country and had set an example to the rest of the Dominion. It was the Government's intention, he said, that, committees were to wind up as organisation, but lhat the work was to continue. It was well satisfied that the Red Cross could afford adequate facilities for packing and posting parcels. The National Council was anxious that local committees would continue to render service, if i t as a definite organisation, then by giving help to the Red Cross. The National Council appreciated ‘he gesture of the Red Cross, as it was not going to be an easy job, ne added. Dr. Hampton said that New Zealanders did not fully appreciate the value of food parcels. A few tons of food looked small in a ship’s hold, but A hen it was displayed in a hall in some .<n"’ish town or city and then put on ;he homo tables if was a great addition to the sparse diet provided in the j”'.Unary way. Eulogistic references lo the work of Mr L. M. Hallas, the secret ary-

organiser, wore made by Dr. Hampton. The National Council appreciated his work, particularly among settlers in the hinterland. “The in- ! tcrest he aroused among the farmers was well worth the whole .job alone..” he said. Mr. C. P. Brown said that when Mr. Hallas assumed his duties the future of the committee was uncertain, “but he mad? a success of it and brought very tangible results from the district." What has been done could not have been effected by voluntary labour. Mrs. A. H. McPhail referred to the real with which Mr. Hallas had entered into his work and said that the committee could not have been successful had it not been for the secre-tary-organiser.