MOVEMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 57, 25 May 1942, Page 5

MOVEMENT

AWAKE NEW ZEALAND | "LOCAL COMMITTEE MEETS The second meeting of the local committee of the Awake New Zealand campaign took place last Friday evening, Mr L. Buddie, presiding over the following: Messrs Andrew McLean, L. Littlejohn, C. J. Hallett, Alex McLean, R. Boon, R. Watson, W. J. Simons, C. Kingsley-Smith and the secretary C. F. Thomas. The secretary reported that the sum of £171 17s (kl had come to hand but there were many outstanding subscriptions still outstanding, ihc committee decided to despatch letters to these donors drawing attention to their apparent oversight and further to circularise the district acquainting all residents oi the organisation's objectives and scope of operation. Home Guard l Needs Mr Littlejohn reporting on the Whakatane Battalions needs: said that until the new equipment for all units was overhauled it was not possible to announce immediate requirements. Mr A. McLean for the Rangitaiki Battalion submitted a list requesting stretchers, medical supplies, denhams, (for night manoeuvres), camouflage nets and ground sreets. A long discussion on the question of a medical unit in the Rangitaiki Battalion evoked the information from Mr Boon that the E.P.S. in that district had undertaken the care of injured civilians and Home Guardsmen in the event of hostilities. Hospital provision had already been made and stretchers were available. The matter was therefore referred back for conference with the E.P.S. and the later consideration by the committee of the exact nature of the equipment required. Denhams were stated to be unprocurable and the question of making camouflage nets will be referred to the local Maoris by the committee who have already completed some flax nets for the Thornton Company. On the matter of ground sheets; it

was decided to write Headquarters suggesting that agitation be set up urging the Government to commandeer all unused cow coversi for recutting and utilising for this; purpose. The suggestion of emulating Whakatane's example and building an ambulance trailer and a stretcher ambulance for Rangitaiki was also discussed, the upshot being that an effort be made to find a trailer caravan which might be converted for the purpose. Tents Wanted Tents for Home Guard camps were also mentioned. This question admittedly a vital one both from a military and a civilian point of view in the event of an emergency, occupied the meeting for some time. All temporary accommodation of this nature would be needed it was agreed and therefore it was decided to take .steps, to list the number of tents available.

To this end an appeal will l be made through the press for owners of tents; to lodge them at a given point, in the near future where they would be safeguarded but held in readiness for despatch to any point where they might be needed, in an emergency. The committee seeks only to cooperate with the existing organisations in this matter and will gladly accede to any guidance of action or policy. Non-Political

Speakers mentioned that unfortunately an impression was abroad that the movement had a political significance, which was utterly without foundation. This wax most unfortunate for the committee itself was composed: of all shades of opinion, a fact which had not the slightest interference Avith the objectives which were common to all members. It was pointed out that such belief might have sprung from the remarks of the Dominion organiser during his initial address and it was accordingly decided to write suggesting that no mention of politics whatever .should be made in campaign speeches in future, in. order lo safeguard the interests, of the movement.