ANZAC ART UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3563, 25 September 1916, Page 7

ANZAC ART UNION.

MR McKARDV REPLIES TO

STRICTURES.

(Per Preus Association;

PALMERSTON NORTH, Sept. 23. In a letter to the Press, Mr P. A. AlcHardy explains, in reference to the report of tho internal Affairs Department and the Minister's comment, that tho expenses incurred in conducting tho art union could hardly be regarded as satisfactory, that he was not tho promoter of the Anzac Art Union, but that it- was organised by a committee of the Patriotic Societ y, / con> bined with tho Anzac Club committee. Tho object of starting the art union was to erect a club in Palmers ton as v. central position for soldiers of the Empire. It was not deemed possible or a fair thing to ask tho local people to snbscribo'the whole'amount, and it \v"is decided'to hold an art union, that all might have a chance of contributing Is to what was considered a. national scheme. .

At the outset the committee invited various patriotic' societies within reasonable distance of Palmerston North to join«in and make the scheme a success, but failed in this object, and had to go ■ alone. ' It was not qxiite a fair' tinny to make comparisons between what was done in Da-nnevirke and the Anzac Art Union. . Danncvirke had a. very wealthy country to draw, upon, whereas Palmcrston North could only go five or six miles before overlapping sonic other patriotic institution. It was quite an easy matter in a wealthy community to obtain'donations towards a deserving object, and so show a magnificent result. The Dannevirke Society was certainly entitled to all praise for its efforts, but Pnlrnerston North, with its limited area, had no chance in such /i competition.. It had to rely on outside support. • The expense of the A'nzac Art Union, outside of advertising and commission on the sale of tickets, was not excessive, and had the committee been able to treat advertising and commission as free gifts or donations to the funds, it should have had a rot return far exceeding expectations

Mr McHardy assures the public that the Anzac committee worked in a voluntary manner with one object-—that of making the art union a. success. With regard to the " limit to be placed on legal expenditure, etc.." 'that naturally was a "right and proper course, hut it would cut both ways, and might prevent many desirable projects from being carried out. In the meantime there \vna no <rlimit;' to the hardships and endurance ol\ soldiers .a.t tho front.