LOYAL GESTURE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 203, 23 August 1940, Page 5

LOYAL GESTURE

gift of fighter plane DISTRICT FARMERS CONSIDERATION On the recommendation of the annual meeting of suppliers to the Rangitaiki Dairy Company,, the directors have been instructed to go carefully into the matter of fixing a levy of .177 d per lb butterfat for the purpose of raising £5000 by which means a Spitfire fighter machine could be purchased and presented to the Royal Air Force in recognition of the admiration of thes | farmers of this district for the magnificent defence against the repeated raids on the Old Country. Mr Alex McLean who introduced, the matter yesterday, said that only the rapidity of the d'evelopments had prevented him from giving notice of motion in the accepted form. He moved that the meeting was in favour of donating £5000 for' suppliers for the purchase of a fighter plane, subject to this sum being made available from sterling funds and that the directors be asked to investigate the matter. He confendled that the resources of the Dominion should be placed completely at the disposal of the Old Country and that a practical gesture such as he suggested would be warmly appreciated.. Produce to the value of £640, OO'O' was manufactured in the company's factors'- last year and the .suppliers received approximately £550,000. It was imperative to win the goodwill of the people at Home, and a gift of this nature would not be forgotten..

Warm Support. Mr C. Wilson an seconding complimented the mover, and said that by the means he hacli suggested each supplier would pay in proportion to the size of his returns. The only danger he foresaw was that there might be levelled at the company the accusation that they had a surplus of cash which they were prepared to give away. This was far from the case and what was intended was that it should be a spontaneous gesture to the R.A.F. Mr lan Gow said he realised! that some suppliers would find it a hardship to allocate their share, but it was surprising what could be done without. The company was pledged to a war effort of its own choosing but he considered that the air force deserved every encouragement in that it was daity saving England from what we out here hardly cared to contemplate. He hoped the directors would give it careful consideration. A Possible Burden. Mr Dunning admitted that it was the hardest thing in the world for him to oppose the motion, but he maintained that the smaller farmer with 7000, 8000 or 9000 Ibs of fat, would feel the burden of the levy if it were super-imposed on all the other obstacles now confronting them,, rising costs, labour problems, etc. They had already given, and would go on giving tc the Patriotic funds. If it were a free gift instead of a levy, all would be in favour of it, but if it was a case of deductions from dairy cheques, there were farmers who would be driven a little nearer the ditch. He was svipported by Mr Andrew McLean, who said that it would not

mean the production of a single extra plane, but merely a gift of money to the Imperial authorities. Every plane which could be built was utilised and he thought it quite un- | sound to divert money from the allimportant primary production to buy something which would be utilised in any case. Suggestion from Whakatane. . Mr Kingsley-Smith who was given permission to speak, said he had been ask'ed by several Whakatane businessmen .to suggest to the farmers that town and country combine to raise the £5000, which could be sent direct to the Imperial Government for the purchase of a plane. The suggestion was that the machine should bear the name 'Wliakartane' and if possible be piloted by a local airman attached toMhe R.A.F. Businessmen in the town were interested deeply and could be depended upon to give liberally. In this way they could feel that they were backing up the R.A.F. by having a direct hand in the ,def ence of Britain. It was necessary however to prevent people in this district from sending money for the above purpose to outside subscription lists if the idea was to be proceeded; with. The whole matter was really open to the question as to whether this district could stand the raising of fContinued at foot of next coluaiDi)

*he sum and support at tJic same time the various other appeals which would be made from time to lime. Mr Alex McLean thought that a county subscription list would take -oo long and favoured! the company the full sum which could go forward at once. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried with a few dissentient voices. In a reply to the secretary's enquiry, the Minister ol Defence stated that the cost of a Spitfire would bo approximately £6250, New Zealand currency.