SUBSIDY OFFERED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32301, 18 August 1943, Page 5

SUBSIDY OFFERED

WELCOME TO SERVICEMEN GRANT FROM GOVERNMENT BOROUGH COUNCIL ACCEPTS A contribution of £1 per serviceman from the Government for the purpose of welcoming and entertaining members of the Forces who have returned to New Zealand after service overseas was accepted by the Paeroa Borough Council at its August meeting last Thursday night. The offer was made to the council in the following telegram received from the Prime Minister the Right Honourable P. Fraser. The telegram read as follows:— “ The return from the Middle East of the men of the Second NJZ.E.F. on furlough provides an opportunity for the Government to express its appreciation of the magnificent services rendered by them. For this reason the Government wholeheartedly desires to be associated with any welcome and entertainments you on behalf of the people of your district are arranging for members of the Second N.Z.E.F. now home on furlough and all other such members otherwise now in New Zealand after service overseas, also returned New Zealand members of Navy and Air Force. “ For that purpose the Government would be glad to place at your disposal a contribution at the rate of one pound for each serviceman or woman so welcomed and entertained. Nature, time and place or places of welcome and entertainment are matters entirely for your decision as the head of your borough.” P. Fraser, prime Minister. Mr D. G. McMillan said he did not think the council should accept the offer contending that it was the least the people could do and he knew the citizens of Paeroa had done it willingly to pay tribute to the men returning frpm overseas. The public did not need -Government assistance to show their gratitude. The council decided to accept the offer.

REFUSED ON PLAINS

PEOPLE’S APPRECIATION

At the August meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council a telegram, was received from the Prime Minister thanking the council and all residents of the Hauraki Plains County for the manner in which the returned men had been welcomed home on furlough. The Government was prepared to grant a subsidy to local authorities towards entertainment of soldiers.

The matter of a subsidy was not favourably considered by members, who maintained that the residents did not expect it and the Government should never have made the offer. Members were unanimous that the entertainment of the returned men was the spontaneous feeling of the people in appreciation for what the boys had done at the war.