PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8831, 9 October 1942, Page 2

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

GRANT TO THE SECRETARY REPLY" TO PROTESTS EXECUTIVE MEMBERS TO PAY Further developments in. connection with the grant of £9O made to the retiring secretary, Mr K. L. Usmar, by the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council were reported on by the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, who presided at a meeting of the Waihi Patriotic ComiAittee on Monday evening. It is felt that in view of the action that is to be taken, there is no reason why harmonious working throughout the province to raise the balance of j;he quota of the All Purposes Appeal should not be resumed. Position Explained

Mr Wallnutt said that at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Patriotic Council the previous Wednesday the question of a grant to Mr Usmar had been discussed, and it had been pointed out that there was a strong feeling of opposition towards the grant. It was decided to communicate with all members of the council who were present at the meeting on September 14, suggesting that a way out must be found which would do the least harm to the Patriotic Fund, and it was felt that the money should be found by those present at that meeting. “This was followed on Friday by a conference of Auckland members of the Provincial Council, all being present with one exception,” continued Mr Wallnutt. “It was made clear that the reaction in the metropolitan area was extremely hostile, and that zones had also received emphatic protests. “The meeting was of the same opinion as that of the Standing Committee, and agreed that the grant should be found by members instead of out of Patriotic Funds, and that a public statement to that effect be handed-to the Press. All members of the council present at the September meeting were then communicated with, asking for their careful consideration of the proposal, and to telegraph their replies.” The chairman said that he had telegraphed his own acceptance of the proposal that day, and in answer to a question stated that the share of each individual who had been present at the original meeting would be approximately £4. Views of Committee Mr F. Raddings said that, as chairman of the Waihi Beach Patriotic Committee, he had sponsored the motion of protest that had come before the last meeting of the general committee in Waihi. 'However, in view of the action’that was being taken to rectify the position, he was sure things would go along just as smoothly from now on as if the trouble about the grant had never started. A Voice: Is there no possibility of Mr Usmar refusing to accept the grant? Mr Vryn Evans said he felt sure that if Mr Wallnutt had had the opportunity of considering the question of a grant from all angles he would not have supported it. Be that as it may, he had attended as official representative of the Waihi committee, and it would not be right that he should have to find the £4 himself. It was not his fault, and he (Mr Evans) suggested that those present should put their hands in their own pockets and share the expense with the chairman.

Mr H. L. Boughton agreed, saying the men members of the committee should make up the amount, and this found general agreement. There the matter rests for the present.