PATRIOTIC DONATIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 45, 5 February 1943, Page 5

PATRIOTIC DONATIONS

WOULD PUBLICITY HELP?

ACKNOWLEDGMENT IN FUTURE A decision to publish the names of all donors to the Borough Patriotic Fund, as wasi done by several County SubCommittees last year was arrived at the annual meeting of the Whakatane Borough Patriotic Coimmittee last Tuesday evening. The point was raised by Mr Warner who said that had the names been published last year twice as much would have been raised. Mrs Sullivan took up the suggestion. most forcefully and asked why it had not been done. Mr Barry replied; that It was a subject which had been warmly debated all last year. It was feared that by giving publicity to the lists that the man who was giving enJy a small sum, which was however in reality all he could afford, might be hurt by the sight of a neighbour's more liberal, donation, which might in effect be less even comparatively than his. Some persons by the subscription of a few shillings might after all be giving a hundred times more proportionately than the man who gave £50. Mrs Sullivan, claimed that where all the local conditions were known there would be. no room for criticism or harsh judgments. Mr Kingsley-Smith thought that the committee was becoming too thin-skinned over the matter of peoples feelings. This was a Avar effort in which everybody Avas expected to contribute, and there Avas. no need for socretiveness. The. only persons Avho would feel shame at all by publicity would be those.- Avho were uneasy in their conscience about Avhat they had given and might be tempted to increase it. "This is a cause in Avhich the boys at the front arc getting hurt for our benefit," said Mr Shapley "and Ave. should not be timorous in publishing the names of those who give' to the town's Avar effort. We don't Avant to hurt' anyone but its up to all our people to do their honest bit.." 1 Mrs SulliA r an then moved ,that steps be taken in future to have, all donations, published in a manner to be decided on by the men's committee. Mr Warner secondedThe question of publishing anonymous donations occupied the. meeting, but Mr Barry pointed out that if this Avcre permitted, the very persons Avho should be shown up would get off free;. Mr Buddie favoured publicity suggesting that progress reports from time to time might engender a feeling of friendly competition between ths. A'arious sections of the town. Mrs Sullivan's motion Avas then put to the meeting and carried without dissent.