WHAKATANE EFFORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 161, 17 May 1940, Page 5

WHAKATANE EFFORT

big drive planned DECISION AT LAST NIGHT'S MEETING An attendance representative •of the citizens of Whakatane met in the Parish Hall last night to consider the co-ordination of efforts for the raising of patriotic funds in general and the Sick and Wounded Fund in particular. It was stated that the womens' organisations would need and should have the assistance of the men of Whakatane and the men present form;ed a committee for this purpose. The committee decided on a canvass of the Borough and the town was divided into blocks, ensuring that a thorough and •comprehensive appeal would result. This canvass will com-* mence next Tuesday and will be •completed by next Saturday night. The combined objective of the men's and women's committees is £312, which figure is expected to be Whaaktane's quota •on a population basis. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs C. E.. Gibberd, S., *S. Shapley and C. A. Suckling. •In explaining the reason for the meeting, His Worship the Mayor. Mr B. S. Barry, said that so far the 3adies had borne the brunt' of the collecting for the appeals and patriotic matters generally. The men were doing nothing and it was up to them to get in and help. • The present appeal was for the Sick and Wounded Fund and £250,000 was required. Of this sum £100,000 would be raised in the Auckland Province ?and on a population basis Whakaitane would have to find £300. ''*So far our own men 'Been in action," said His Worship, "but It seems that they may be any •day and if they are these funds will ]be needed. We will want every }penny we can raise." Mr Barry said his idea -was t,hat the men should appoint a committee and this committee would have nothing to do with the women's organisations. An executive could then Jbe formed by two delegates from reach of the ladies* and men'fc com-' 'mittees, with himself as Chairman and the Town Clerk, Mr D. V. Saund ,ers, as Secretary. This executive would meet regularly to deal with .appeals. i Purpose of Fund.

"The time has come when $he •position is serious," said Mr Barry. -"We need a properly elected committee to deal with it.'" He added that the committee would be permanent. Mr Barry then asked for suggestions. ! Mr Raymond asked whether the present appeal was for the Sick and Wounded or for medical supplies as Well. Mrs W. Sullivan answered this point. She said that the appeal was for the Sick, Wounded and Distress Fund. The joint Council of the Red ' Cross Society and the Order of St. . John was the sole collecting and -expending agency. Mr Raymond: When it comes to medical supplies it is up to the Government. Mr Buddie: I don't quite understand whether the money collected " is for expenditure in New Zealand • or overseas. If for expenditure in New Zealand won't it clash with the later appeal for fumls for rehabilitation? / Mr Barry: I think it is for expenditure overseas. It is a National Fund matter ancT the National Fund concerns money for expenditure on the troops while in camp and overThe Provincial Funds are for ■. amenities for the men while in - camp and for when they return. At any rate, that is how I understood the position from Mr Hayden and Mr Usmar when they were down ; here. Permanency of Committee. Mr Barry then stressed that a • committee should be formed with : a view to permanency. It could deal with all appeals. "I agree with you that it doesn't matter where the funds go. Our object is to assist in raising them, 1 ' said Mr W. Sullivan, and added., amid laughter, "Anj'how, you can't

spend New Zealand money overseas." The fund was for the sick and wounded soldiers and for their welfare on return to New Zealand, continued Mr Sullivan. It was definitely an object for assistance. "This will not be the first appeal," lie said. "Perhaps as the war goes 011 the people will become more determined." It was necessary to set up the committee. He moved that all men in the hall be made meny bers of the committee, with power to add. Mr A. J. Canning seconded and the motion was carried. Mr Sullivan was elected chairman of the men's committee and Mr C. W. Good was elected secretary. Task for "The Belter Half."' Mrs Sullivan spoke of the efforts made by the ladies' patriotic committee. She said it was realised that they could not raise £312. Perhaps £100 could be raised and the speaker wanted to know if the men would undertake to raise the £200 balance. "It's (he bigger half," said | Mrs Sullivan, "but then they always consider themselves the better half." Mr G. A. Brabant suggested tjhat the best way of raising the necessary amount -would be to make a collection of 5/-- from each of the adults in Whakatane. The ladies) had raised a considerable sum, he said, but it involved a tremendous amount of work. Mrs Coutts offered £1 Is to the meeting and her action was applauded.

"The ladies have'raised £100," said Mr Raymond. "Alright, leave it to the men to get the rest." The meeting then closed. Canvass Arranged. Mr Sullivan briefly addressed the men's committee on the importance of the matter and said it wrfs the duty of those remaining behind to do their utmost for those who had gone abroad. Speaking of the regulations governing the collection of funds, he said that they were apt to cancel out the generosity of those who give. "However," said Mr Sullivan, "our job is to make the best we can of the position as it obtains at present.'" The chairman suggested that with a canvassing of the Borough there should be no difficulty in raising the necessary £200. Mr Stewart, Superintendent of the Fire Brigade offered the services :of fifteen men for canvassing and this was appreciated by the meeting. The subject was very thoroughly discussed and it was finally arranged that a circular be despatched to every householder, giving information concerning the appeal, which will commence next Tuesday and be completed by Saturday night next The Borough area was divided into blocks and canvassers appointed. I The blocks and names of canvassers will be advised in Monday's issue. The committee adjourned until Monday, May 27, when it will meet in the Borough Council Ghambei's. The chairman and secretary were appointed delegates to the executive.