N.Z. EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1283, 11 August 1914, Page 3

N.Z. EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

COUNCIL DONATES

At last night’s meeting Cr Freeman asked if it was intended to make any donation towards the expenses entailed in connection with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He considered something should be done. Could the Council afford to give a horse ? If not some donation should be made.

The Mayor said he did not think the borough could afford to give a horse but he was quite in favour of a donation being made. A donation from the Council would mean that each resident of Foxton would bear a share.

Cr Whibley said he didn’t want them to ruu away with the idea that he was not patriotic, but he was going to oppose a donation being given. The Mayor had said that a donation from the Council would mean that all the people were assisting, but the same thing applied it the State bore the whole of the expense. Every resident in the Dominion would then pay a share. He considered that the expense should be borne by the State with the assistance of those who could afford to make donations, (Cr Speirs: Hear, hear). Any money that the Council could afford to donate could be put to better use in assisting local necessitous cases. He was not unpatriotic but he considered that there was more need in Foxton for the money. Cr Coley said he would oppose the motion on the same grounds, Cr Freeman then moved that the Council donate the sum of towards the funds for the expeditionary force. Those in favour of a donation being made considered was too much and the mover reduced it to £lO and the motion was then seconded by Cr Chrystall. Cr Freeman said that they were not in a position to make a large donation, but considered they should assist as far as laid in their power. Every small donation would be of assistance.

Cr Chrystall said he would only be too pleased if the Council could afford or At a time such as the present everyone had to make sacrifices. At present New Zealand did not pay enough towards the upkeep of the British Navy. They should certainly make a donation from the borough as a whole, as well as private gifts. Cr Speirs considered he was as loyal as most people, but he did not think the funds of the borough should be donated in the manner suggested. Any donations for this object should be made privately. Cr Coley didn’t favour making donations as suggested. The Council had not sufficient money for necessary works. Cr Henderson said his sympathies were with the object of the motion, but at the same time he did not think the Council could afford to give the donation. He didn't think they would be justified in giving it away when it was required locally. The Mayor said he would support the motion because he thought that a juncture such as the preseut in the history of the Empire some sacrifice sh ould be made. He felt sure that the borough as a whole would approve of the motion. He agreed that money would be required to relieve necessitous cases locally, and at the meeting to be held. the following evening he there intended to move in the direction of the formation of a ftind for that purpose rather than tor providing equipment for the troops. The motion was put, and carried on the casting vote of the Mayor, the voting being: For, the Mayor, and Crs Read, Chrystall, Freeman and Barber ; against, Crs Coley, Whibley, Speirs, Henderson and Kempster.