PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 245, 13 September 1940, Page 2

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

DISPOSAL OF SHOP MONEY. STATEMENT BY MAYOR. In presenting a statement on -the disposal of money raised at the Palmerston North patriotic shop, to a meeting of Zone I) Committee of t'he Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council yesterday, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansion!), who is chairman of the committee, made some strong comments on the attitude of certain persons who have been writing to the “Manawalu Standard” on the matter. “In regard to the money raised at the patriotic shop and remitted to the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council, the administration of such funds, and the raising of funds to purchase and make up parcels for our soldiers overseas, there seems from recent newspaper correspondence a surprising lack of knowledge, or else this correspondence is inspired with deliberate intent to cause dissent,” said the Mayor. “If the latter, then for those writers 1 have nothing but utter contempt, and anyone who will stoop to these tactics for some petty spite or gain, or in connection with some local squabbles, when the Empire is engaged in a life and death struggle, is nothing short of a traitor. If, on the other hand, the former is the case, then unknowingly the writers have questioned t'he integrity of leading business and public men in the province who have been appointed ■ to the National or Provincial Patriotic Councils under Government regulations, and one may well ask, are those men going to administer these funds in any but the wav they were intended? Most certainly not.

“Through the Press and over the air the - personnel and setting tip of these councils have been fully explained, and it seems almost impossible to think that they are not yet fully understood. Briefly, the provincial councils are responsible for the entertainment of the men in the camps and defence stations, the provision of sporting gear and sporting activities for men in camps or stations, the supplying of band instruments, providing and furnishing clubs in the centres adjoining the main camps and military aerodromes, and other activities that will conduce to the amuse ment and better health of the men in camp. Then when men return from overseas there will he further responsibilities to be met. “The funds in hand at the end of July were approximately £6OOO. and considering the number of men in camp and'provision for any emergency that may arise this sum cannot he considered excessive.

PROVIDING OP PARCELS. “Regarding the parcels to be provided for tlie men overseas, appeals were made tor these and the articles required advertised,” Mr Mansford went on. “It must be patent to anyone that the cost of these parcels was too much for those with limited capital, and to give all an opportunity to contribute to these any item was accepted and inexpensive competitions organised. By this method everyone could contribute either in large or small slims. The difficulty was that under tile regulations all money must be remitted to Wellington; but provision lias been made that where money is raised lor parcels it can be refunded to the committee raising it. There is a local committee, consisting of 60 ladies, at work, collecting the necessary tins, washing these, making up the parcels and wrapping them, and they are delighted to do this work. There have been three lots of parcels sent forward since the war commenced, and a fourth is being got ready now; and J. am perfectly confident that 99 per cent, of our citizens approve ot what is being done and the method employed for raising the funds.”. Mr K. A. Henderson said 'he cbuld not altogether associate himself with the first part of the statement, and thought it could be modified a little. There were a number of persons genuinely puzzled about the matter. Mr Mansford said that if the correspondence was written to cause dissent then he had nothing but contempt for these people and would characterise them as traitors for playing into the 'hands of the enemy. If the people were genuinely puzzled his remarks would not apply. Mr Henderson: I think people are genuinely in the dark as to what is going on. The Mayor: Then my remarks do not apply. Mr S. G. Northev said that while he would not use the same words as the Mayor, he felt that there were some persons either jealous or not satisfied in soriie other way. Mr C. V. Day commented that it was significant that no complaints 'had been received from any member of the parcels committee. He thought that the committee should commend the women of the parcels committee for the work they had done in the past and were still doi'ng. Mr Henderson : I think there is a misunderstanding, but I don’t think the misunderstanding is in any way cleared up by the Mayor’s initial remarks.

Mr Mansforr] said it was no good his trying to say one thing and feeling another. If the cap fitted, let them wear it.

Mr Henderson contended that the first part of the statement should not he published. It would tend to antagonise some persons. “It doesn’t matter if they antagonise me.” said Mr Mansford. “There is a. certain class in the community at whom you have got to hit back. I have taken all I am going to take.”

Mr Henderson: lam afraid you are going to do yourself harm, although it won’t make any difference to t'he relationship between yourself and me. I realise the splendid work you have done, but perhaps a little too much has been said on both sides. “I cannot help that,” said Mr Mansford. -“If anybody writes deliberately to the Press to cause dissension, then I think thev are traitors. That is the wav I feel.”

A final appeal to the Mayor not to lot hi? remarks go to the public was made by Mr Henderson. Mr Mansford: I think I will let it go and take w'hat is coming to me.