SOLDIERS' FAREWELLS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 164, 6 October 1941, Page 5

SOLDIERS' FAREWELLS

WORK OF BOROUGH & COUNTY

COMMITTEE

MISUNDERSTANDING IN COUNTY

AREAS

A considerable amount of milsunderstanding, which was causing- the Borough andi County Farewell Committee difficulties and threatened to make the continuance of its programme impossible, was cleared up when on Thursday night the members of the committee met representatives of district farewell and patriotic committees in the Awakeri Hall. At the conclusion of the meeting it was l indicated that the representatives of the various districts practically whole-heartedly wished to continue the activities of the central committee and give each soldier a uniform parting gift, and 1 whenever possible arrange that reinforcements were entertained at a civic farewell. There were eight districts represented at the meeting. Position Explained In the absence of His Worship the Mayor, Mr S. S. Sliapley, deputyMayor presided and outlined the activities of the committee. This had been formed in 1939, he stated, with the object of giving every soldier n suitable uniform gift from the whole district at a civic farewell. Excellent response had at first been met and to date about £250 had bcen_ spent at first the gift being a patent pencil and later when these wer<> unavailable, a wallet.

The civic functions held had been very fine ceremonies and had been fully appreciated by those whom they most concerned. Unfortunately It had not always been possible to arrange them owing to lack of advice regarding the time of leaving of the reinforcements. However when the committee liad been nble to arrange the farewell it had Been that every soldier received his gift, this being presented at a function in his district o'r even at a gathering of a private nature. On the last occasion a change in army plans had it possible to arrange a function but fifty men had been made the reception of a gift—' *of the fifty 47 being country men. Need For Funds "Having expressed his opinion thai the civic functions and the uniform •gift were most desirable and thai it was hoped to carry on Mr Sliapley stated that the matter of funds was causing some worry.. Most of the funds for the work liad been collected in the Borough and it was felt that the co-operation of tho country districts was desirable in this direction and thus the meeting ■Tiad been called.

Stressing that the central organisation represented the whole of the district Mr W. Sullivan agreed that It was desirable thta each locality also liad its own functions. However, if the -central committee continued then each man received a gift from the whole of the community, and a civic 'function would in no way interfere with the district efforts.

A Misunderstanding' The chairman of the county coun--eilj stated that he was a member oi the central committee, and< it appeared that the country districts had felt that the farewells were for only the lads of the Borough and he felt that the finance had come more from the Borough owing to this mis* Actually the function and the gift were promoted by the whole of the county. Mr Burnett continued that in his -opinion the major event should be ■continued and that each district should pay for the gifts their own f were to receive. Such a scheme would solve the financial problem. In the event of a civic farewell not being arranged then the •uniform gifts could be presented district socials.

Origin of Committee In reply to a question the chairtnan explained that the committee had been formed hurriedly early in the war. The Mayor, the county chairman, members of the R.S.A. nnd of the Maori race had met and formed the ccrnmittee. He added that the civic functions, without doubt,/ provided an atmosphere which could not be obtained at a dance or social and provided the boys and their parents with one of the best hours they would ever have. Mir A. F. McGougan stated that the country people had to his knowledge not been given the opportuitv to assist. At Taneatua they had had a farewell for every man leaving and felt the need for a purely local

event. Those functions were better than the one suggested at Wliakatane where half the people did not know the other half. He said he would not like to commit himself until he had discussed it with the Taneatua people. Whole County Represented The secretary, Mr J. W. Wilson, stated that each function had been advertised, but it was not always possible to give a great deal of notice. He added that at the original meeting called by the County chairman and the Mayor most of the 25 present had been 11.5.A. men and it had been unanimously decided that the civic event be held so that nil the county would be represented in the,gift. Whakatane as the administrative headquarters of both county and borough had naturally been chosen for the place to hold the farewell. Mr Wilson added that the functions had been well advertised and | reported in the Beacon and he was surprised that the county members were not aware of their meaning. Continuing lie said that at the outset the town had been canvassed and the county members asked to do likewise. It was more difficult to contact residents of the country areas but nevertheless, at the outset equal support had been given. In latter months however, about 80 per cent of the funds had come from the Borough while 80 per cent of the gifts went to the country men. The suggestion that each district supply the gifts for its own men would settle the trouble about finance. Petrol shortage might make it difficult for country people to attend the functions but he did not think many would be unable to attend. In anj r -event they would be-well represented and a gift would be made on their behalf.

Support Promised'

He concluded by stating that without doubt the spirit of the civic function would not be equalled. Bach one held liad been most impressive. The Awaken representative stated that his district had been farewelling each man departing and giving him a money belt and £2. "People are generous here," he said, "and we feci-it our bounden duty to help the town. There is no rea son that they should bear the brunt of the civic presentation."

Mr McGougan stated that he still felt that the committee should have, at the outset, approached the various districts. He felt that the outer districts had not known where they stood.

Mr R. Dunning, of Otakiri, held a similar view, while Mrs Hill of Taneatua. said she did not know how at Taneatua more money could be raised than for their own effort. Also she pointed out that it was difficult for people to get to Whakatane for the function.

Mrs Wylde pointed out that it appeared that the country districts were to pay for the gifts and the central committee get the credit for giving them. She felt that the men leaving the district had a civic l , farewell in that the county chairman was present at the country functions. Over 500 Presentations Mr Shapley said there was no suggestion of any credit being accepted byi anyone other than the whole district and the gesture was small indeed for those staying at home to make. "Over 500 soldiers have been given a district gift and I would be pleased indeed if they were all Borough boys. As has been said eight}' per cent have been from the county."

The Matata representative spoke highly of the civic farewells and expressed the intention of supporting the committee as suggested, a similar statement being made by the Btlgccumbe representative.

Ait this stage Mr Burnett described to the meeting the civic farewells as impressive and unforgettable and he was supported by Mr L. W. Luxton. "The first functions were such a success," said Mr Luxton, "that I did not think outside districts required any further invitation." From experience he spoke of the great value attached to a gift coming from the community as a whole. At this stage Mr McGougan said that probably T'aneatua would fall in line.

Before a motion was put Mr G. Otley explained that representation on the committee for outside districts existed and was welcomed, but difficulties in transport had resulted in a few men making the hurried preparations. The Avholc county had nevertheless being fully represented. It was finally decided that the country representatives report to the central committee whether or not their committees were in support find appoint delegates if agreeable.