TROOPS IN CAMP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20122, 16 December 1939, Page 4

TROOPS IN CAMP

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITY PATRIOTIC INTEREST NO P.B. GIFTS NEEDED MINISTER STATES POLICY The policy of the Government in respect of Christmas gift distributions from public funds, for the troops who will remain in camp over the Christmas holidays, is that patriotic societies in areas dose to the camps will be asked to undertake the duty of preparing and dispensing gift parcels. Societies at a distance are assured that all troops in the camps will be catered for, and that no overlapping will occur. Information to this effect was received by the East Coast Provincial Patriotic Council yesterday at its monthly meeting, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, making it clear in a reply to a district inquiry that there will be no occasion for gift parcels to be forwarded from Gisborne. A lack of understanding between the Government and the National Patriotic Funds Board was indicated, however, by the differing tone of letters received from the respective sources. The comforts committee of the National Patriotic Council wrote recommending that Christmas parcels be provided for men remaining in military camps during the Christmas season.

Arranged Hospitality

In this connection, the registrar reported that on behalf of the Women’s Central Representation Committee, which wished to do something tor the soldiers in camp, he had telegraphed the Minister of Defence, asking for particulars of men remaining in camps.

The reply from the Minister stated that the policy adopted was to leave the matter of Christmas hospitality in the hands ot committees in the districts where camps were located. This policy would obviate over-lap-ping, it was pointed out; and every man remaining in camp during the Christmas season would be catered for.

The Mayor commented that in view of the Minister’s assurance it did not seem possible to do much from this district. The letter from the Minister was received.

Information concerning the organisation of flag days in Auckland and Wellington Was laid before the meeting, and the Mayor intimated that he had authorised inquiries from the cities in view of the possibility that something similar could be done here. He moved that the letters be held over until later, for consideration when the Christmas and New Year season was oveiv

The motion was carried. Patriotic Efforts Projected

The Gisborne Thirty-Thousand Club applied for recognition as a collecting agent on behalf of the council, this recognition being granted. The secretary reported that the chairman had approved of a project by “Aunt iMilly,” of Station 2ZM, to stage a concert at the Opera House on December 20, on behalf of patriotic funds.

The council confirmed the chairman’s action, and the Mayor remarked that the project was one that deserved the most extensive support from the public.

At the request of the Hawke's Bay Patriotic Council, it was decided to co-operate in providing the Hawke’s Bay Infantry Regiment, of the members of which about one-third are from Gisborne and the East Coast, with regimental necessities over and above the military issue. Correspondence regarding a Tolaga Bay project for raising funds for patriotic purposes was also laid before the council, and approved. The Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association nominated COlonel R. F. Gambrill as its representative on the council. Colonel Gambrill intimated that the social committee of his association proposed to organise a gala at the Waikanae Beach on New year s Eve, and hoped to raise a substantial sum of money by the effort. Beach Gala for New Year He also suggested that the social committee be appointed a collecting and expending agent fo~ the council, this suggestion being acceded to. The Mayor expressed the appreciation of the council to the association, and the hope that the public would support the effort whole-heartedly. The advisability of having official arrangements made for meeting bodies of men arriving from camp on leave was raised by Colonel Gambrill, who mentioned that on Thursday night Mr. F. R. Ball had unofficially represented the council, and had taken care of three men who had had no accommodation provided in advance. The speaker stated further that the draft now on leave in Gisborne would depart in a fortnight for camp, and that they would not see home again before their departure overseas. He felt_that the town should give the men a rousing send-off, and one that would stay in their memories in the same way as did the farewells given to troops in the last war. He recommended that there need be no speeches, but there should be a band, plenty of hght, and a good gathering of the public to show how much their service was appreciated. The presentation of individual parcels of gifts to the men should also be considered. The Mayor suggested that a small committee be formed to undertake the necessary arrangements, in conjunction with the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Accommodation For Men On Leave

Mr. Ball reported that by arrangement with the Mayor, he had met the men arriving on leave, t and had arranged for three men to be accommodated at the Albion Hotel. When he had called fcr an account, he added, Mr. J. K. Popple, the licensee, had intimated that not only would he make no charge for the three men mentioned, but that on future occasions of the kind he would be happy to accommodate, without charge, men who had no other accommodation and who were sponsored by the patriotic council. On Mr. Ball’s suggestion, it was decided to send a letter of appreciation to Mr. Popple. The generosity of an offer by Mr. R. J. Kerridge, to permit free entertainment in the houses of Gisborne Theatres, Limited, to soldiers on leave, was also acknowledged by the council.

With regard to the departure of the leave Party on December 27, it was arranged that the-cars should embark the men at Peel street, and that full publicity would be given to details of the departure time and farewell function.