PROPOSED BREAK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 74, 21 May 1943, Page 5

PROPOSED BREAK

LOCAL PATRIOTIC EXECUTIVE BAY OF PLENTY COUNCIL SUGGESTED That this meeting request the formation of a Bay of Plenty Patriotic Council embracing the area which comprises the geographical Counties of Tauranga, Opotiki and Whakatane —that failing the granting of this application each zone have refunded to it its quota of after-care reserve and hereafter each zone retain all welfare and aftercare moneys—that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council and the Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs— that i't be left to Messrs Burnett and Steele to interview Mr Wilkinson hereon. The above motion was carried unanimously at a meeting of the Zone 'Iv' Patriotic executive held iix Whakatane. The decision was the outcome of long-standing differences with the Auckland. Council on the question of rehabilitation or after-care monies subscribed under the Patriotic scheme. This money it was claimcd was being spent, out of all proportion to that given from the various zones. None of the welfare money went into the welfare fund after the last appeal. Mr T. G. Steele, explained that as a result of Auckland's failure to raise its quota the welfare money from other zones had. to go to make up Auckland's deficit. Eighteen months ago the AVaikato attempted to make a breakaway and leave Zone 'Iv' in the backblocks. The executive had opposed the breakaway to such good purpose that Waikato had not been able to break away from Auckland. Since then Opotiki and Whakatane had drawn closer together with the Waikato.

Red Rag to a Bull

The Auckland Council had. not been keen about the Question of the Constitution. It Avas like a red rag to the Mayor of Auckland. A meeting had since been held. The speaker then went on to explain the disgraceful way in ayh ieh Mr Ordell had been , treated by the Mayor of Auckland. Mr Ordell had been howled down at the meeting. He (the speaker) had seen Mr Ordell recently at Hamilton and Hamilton was going to try again to have a separate district. Mr Fow had also gone to Auckland and had been frustrated by the Mayor of Auckland. It had. been the first time in 17 years that Mr Fow had been ordered to ;sit down in a meeting.

Auckland opposed the. rehabilitation and Avas spending the money as far as possible. The only thing to do Avas to break away from Auckland. Mr Steele said it Avas considered that a separate Provincial Council embracing the Bay of Plenty from Tauranga to Cape. Runaway should be formed, with headquarters at Whakatane. If they were still tied to Auckland tlicy were goiing to tr£ to get control of their oAvn Avelfare money left in Auckland.

After considerable discussion the motion-Avas carried unanimously.