PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

Western Star, 21 March 1940, Page 3

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

There was a full attendance at the meeting of the Patriotic Commitftee on Monday evening when Dr C. H. Gordon presided. Those present were: Messrs A. F. Webb, P. L. Girvan, A. V. Rose, T. Borland, J. Stirling, H. Allison, L. Raymond, F. Conn, C. B. Matthewson, G. Cloughley, J. W. Martin, J. A. Martin, J. Fraser, Ron. Walker, S. A. Odell and Dr. E. S. Fossey; Mesdames T. Borland, J. Harvey, D. M. Tweedie, H. Roberts, J. Fitzpatrick, Misses A. MoNaughton and M. Frew, and the secretary, Mr G. Millow.

! The following new members were elected to the committee: Mrs T. Borland, representing the Red Cross, Mesdames J. Fitzpatrick and. A. F. Webb, the Women's Institute, Mavis Frew and Ronald Walker, the High School, Mr Lance Raymond, the Progress League, Dr E. S. Fossey, Mesdames W. Smyth, D. M. Tweedie, D. F. MacDouga.ll, W. McMurtrie, J. Stirling, A. Provan, J. Harvey, Miss M. Bain, Messrs J. Crawford, G. McNaughton' D. Alexander, W. Trembath, A. E. Ward, W. S. Hunter and P. J. Eccleton.

Correspondence was received from the Southland Patriotic Council enclosing authority cards for collecting, and observations dealing with outlying districts, whether they wished to be. associated with this committee or de-' sired to be separate.

A request was ate received from the Riverton Farewell Committee for a license for an early meeting and a permit for the next three months. £2 7'9 was forwarded to the Treasurer from the R.S.A.; which they had been holding in trust pending the formation of a Patriotic Committee. The chairman then introduced the appointment of sub-committees and suggested that the Control Committee, could appoint one of its members to !>e ex-officio a member of, the different sub-committees, but not to be its chairman. The appointment was for the purpose of conveying information to the Control Committee and eliminate unnecessary attendances.

He understood there was a proposal to elect' a l , Correspondence Commit He advised that all committees dealing with patriotic work should be associated with this committee, including in some of its activities the Red Cross. Thcs-> sub-committees could co-operate with any who were interested for the furtherance of the general objects and purposes.

A Comforts Committee: Miss McNaughton explained the origin and self-imposed tasks of the Riverton District Comforts Committee. Up to the present they had been giving a coupU, of pairs of socks to each local nan. They were not certain whether their gifts would need to go to headquarters, nor were they too sure of the-ex. tent of the district embraced by the local R.S.A.

Mr'Girvan advised that the Rivrinu R.S.A. embraced Colac Bay, Rouvd Hill, Fairfax Store, and the Waima'uku River to Waimatuku. The chairman said that all moni s.or gifts for a. specific purpose were earmarked for that purpose; all that Mas needed was that the sums of mono y or value should be accounted for to tho Controlling Committee through Hie, local treasurer.

The point was that if it was 'ar upproved purpose by the Provincial Committee they could, if n~c ssary, ha«? a call on the Provincial funds to ■uwt obligations. Nothing wn'dcl be done to withhold work from wiling workers. Also, another point was that all appeals, whether for comforts or anything, needed the approval or license, of the controlling committee. If it was a Patriotic Appeal, whatever its nature, it had.to be accounted for.

Mr F. Conn suggested that it should include dances, concerts, community sings, bazaars, in fact all varieties of entertainment.

Mr T. Borland advised a small committee who could co-operate in the district to develop the activity.

Mrs Borland assured - the Committee that the Red Cross were only too willing to co-operate.

The entertainment committee appointed were T. Borland, A. P. O'Callaghan, F. L. Girvan, J. Stirling, V. Rose, H. Allison, Mesdames D. M. Tweedie, H. 'Roberts and T. Borland. The committee to appoint its own chairman. Mr Conn to be temporary convener.

Scholars Committee: The chairman expressed the appreciation of the Committee at the : action of the school. Mavis Frew said the school children were making handkerchiefs, ditty bags