PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 47, 12 February 1943, Page 5

PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES

MEN S COMMITTEE MEETING CANVASSING OF BOROUGH "The object of this meeting, ist to consider methods of raising the Borough quota towards this year's allocation of the Patrio-. tic Fund," said Mr W. Sullivan, chairman of the Borough Men's* Committee last Wednesday evening. The meeting drew a fair attendance though there were many absentees who might have been expected to throw in their weight. This year, continued Mr Sullivan, it looks as if our quota will be a little, less, £1850 as against £2300 last * year. We have already had a promise of £750 which the ladies have undertaken to raise and I don't think there need be any difficulty experienced in raising the balance. 1 The meeting decided upon (a) a house to house canvass 1 as in the past and (b) a special canvass of the business section. The question of covering ithe Borough w r as cons,idered at length, the secretary, Mr C. Good, pointing < out that of the 45 appointed last year 16 had signified their intention j of not carrying on again this year. Weekly Wage-earners Position Mr Warner asked the chairman . if he would define what, a weekly wage-earner could be expected to give for 'the year suggesting that it : might be fixed at half one week's wages. Mr Sullivan said the whole question was governed by the circumstances of the individual concerned. If say 5s a month was given by the average, working man, he considered he would be doing very well, but it was impossible to lay down any hard and fast' rules. The, person himself, was 1 the best judge. Mr Brockett considered the onlv way of approach was by putting on A cheerful grin and doing |he best one could. A committee of nine was then set up for canvassing and collecting from the Strand area and the whole of the Borough list, was minutely overhauled, new collectors being appointed and probables being namedThese will be published, as soon as the respective areas have been defined. A special resolution of thanks to and' appreciation of the work of the Borough ladies and the Ohope ladies committees was passed many speakers comment- , ing on their wonderful work. Question of Publicity A long discussion on the wisdom of publishing the names' of donors, in accordance with the recommendation of the public meeting took place, opinion differing widely as to the: effectiveness of such action. The broad -trend however was favourable towards the suggestion, which Avas afterwards adopted with certain modifications. The main concern of all speakers was not to offend innocent persons who might in reality be doing all they could;. However it was considered that the effort being a Patriotic one in which all were expected to play their part, the committee could not afford to be unduly thinskinned and that, publicity of the names wo-uldi lead to more satisfactory results. The. final decision was, that the BEACON should be asked to publish the whole of 'the: Borough donation list, street, by street when it Avas completed, and that it be footnoted showing by asterisk or star, which persons had made a straightout donation and which had promised a donation by instalments', further that it be pointed out that Civil Servants were on the main subscribing to the central fund and alsol that many of the names not* appearing included persons with close relatives in the fighting, forces, who were already giving by Avay of Red Cross parcels. A final list showing the fulfilment of all promises Avould also be published later in the year Avhen the total amount raised Avould be announced. "We want to make a start on this collection before the end of the , month," said Mr Sullivan. This avjll . be necessary so that, Ave will have eleven months ahead in order to make the collection of instalments.