PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 190, 8 May 1940, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Circular To Members Of

Trades Union

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CONDEMNATION

“That this council deprecates the issue of such an unwarranted circular, particularly at this Lime of national crisis when all should do everything in their power to induce the fullest possible co-operation between employers

and employees.” This was a decision of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last, night regarding

a circular letter to members of the Wellington Clothing Trades Industrial Union, by the secretary, Mr. E. B. Neilton, and urging them to refrain from participating in any scheme of employers to raise money for patriotic purposes.

“I suggest that no one would object if the union saw lit to advise members to give directly instead of through firms by whom they are engaged,” said Mr. I’. E. I’attriek, in proposing the motion. “But this circular goes much further than that: it premises an untruth, imputes improper motives, and is subversive of the good relations between employer and employees.” The president, Mr. R. 11. Nimmo, said that the circular was inimical to the interests of the men who had gone forth to give their lives; it. was nothing short of a scandal. Mr. M. F. Luckie: It was just done to create ill-feeling between employers and employees; that is sticking out in every line. “If in circularizing that letter Mr. Newton thought he was standing up for a Labour principle he was only doing Labour a disservice and should be downright ashamed of himself,” said Mr. Pattrick. Mr. Nimmo said he (lid not think the Government, would approve of the views expressed in the circular.

The circular in question stated “Members are urged not to participate in any scheme of employers to raise money for patriotic purposes. All such schemes are bad from a union point of view. During the last war the employers got all the credit for the money subscribed by their workers. It was cheap publicity for them, ami some of them toox advantage of the position to avoid giving themselves. “Already some members have been asked' fo agree that 3d. a week should be deducted from their wages—others have been asked to work on Saturday morning and authorize their employer to pay the overtime to a patriotic fund. “Insist on getting every penny of the wages you earn. Let the employers be patriots at their own expense—not yours. If deduction from wages is once permitted,, there is no knowing where it Will S “If you wish to subscribe for patriotic purposes that is entirely your own affair —not the union’s and not the employers —but, if you subscribe, do so independently in your own name.” E. B. NEWTON, Secretary. Wellington Clothing Trades Industrial Union of Workers.

National Total Now £101,558

During the past fortnight the National Patriotic Fund total has increased from £99,074/10/4 to £101,558 15/-. An increase is also shown in the sick and wounded fund, for which the national agent on behalf of the National Patriotic Fund Board is the Joint Council of the Order of St. Jobn and the Red Cross Society. This special fund, for which a big national appeal is to be launched shortly, now stands at £2507, the Increase since the previous total was acknowledged being represented by a contribution of £250/6/3 from. Hie New Zealand Ladies’ Golf Union. In addition to this donation by the women’s golf organization, the men golfers ars giving noteworthy assistance to the national fund.

The latest national fund list includes some substantial contributions, several of which have b.eeu reported previously. The list shows that the net proceeds of the two celebrity concerts held in the Wellington Town Hall recently for the benefit of the fund amounted to £569/18/2. Other donations acknowledged show the growing scope of the national campaign and the practical support it is being accorded by individuals, staffs and business organizations. The list, which is the seventeenth the board has issued, is as follows: —

The donation from R. Hnnnnli mid Co. wns imide equally to the Y..M.C.A. mid S.'ilviilion Army and the Order of St. John and Red Cross. The total expenditure to dntc is £51,365 5/3. St. John and Red Cross Sick and

£ s. d. Total donations to April 22 99,074 10 4 It. Hannah and Co., Ltd. .. 1,000 0 0 T. J. Edmonds, Ltd 400 0 0 Celebrity Concerts—net profit 569 18 2 R.N.Z..A.F. Revue, Wigrain 280 0 0 Avondale Jockey Club .... LOO 0 0 Burns, Philp and Co., Weilington branch 50 0 0 Tikitiki Patriotic Committee 10 0 0 T. & G. Life Assurance Society (Field Staff) 9 12 c Mrs. II. Crawford o 0 Drury Anzae Committee .. 5 9 0 “A.B.,” Wellington 0 0 Women of Apia Village, Samoa 0 0 Rav’s Manfg. Co., managemeat and sluff collection z 17 0 Auckland & Suburban Drainage Board 2 0 6 Gisborne Slormiien and Packers’ Warehousemen industrial Union of A Voikers 2 • > 0 Anonymous, Opotiki 0 0 Anonymous. tilth contrib. . 1 .10 0 Post 1 Iflice Hotel Staff . .. 1 6 6 G. 11. Blvth 1 9 6 Mrs. Pope's, Ltd.. Staff .. 1 1 (i U. R. Beattie 1 0 (i Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Murray 1 1) 0 G. Kirk 1 0 0 “E.M.,” Blenheim 1 0 0 Government Actuary’s Oftiee, Staff 0 17 6 Sundry donations, inclnding additional amounts from Seal Campaign ... 25 6 0 £101.558 15 0

Wounded Fund. Amount proviotwiy acknowledged 2,25(1 17 0 N.Z. Ladies’ Golf Union .. 250 0 3 £2,507 4 0