PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 260, 1 October 1940, Page 5

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

FEILDING AND DISTRICT

A meeting of the Zone E Patriotic Committee was held last evening, the Mayor (Mr T. L. Seddon) presiding. Also present were Messrs W. L. McLennan and A. Campbell (Oroua County Council), D.' T. Couper and W. G. Clapham (Kiwitea County Coun!cil), A. K. Drew and D. AY. Reid (Manawatu County Council), G. J. ! Fitzpatrick (Chamber of Commerce), ; L. J. Thompson and R. A. Gordon (Hunterville . Town Board), H. P. Mahoney and C. E. Oulsnam (Mangaweka Town Board), AV. E. Howell and J. T. Moar (Pohangina County Council), M. E. Perrcau and AV. G. Nye (Foxton Borough Council). The chairman extended a welcome to the Foxton representatives, who were previously in Zone D. Mr Perreau acknowledged the remarks stating that it was more convenient to work in Zone E. Mr Seddon: Your contributions certainly merit the change, and we are pleased to have you with us in this zone. The chairman concluded by mentioning the liberal amounts received from Foxton. The secretary (Mr C. H. Tate) read a list of local body representatives who form the authorised committees on the zone executive, the position in regard to Marton and Bulls being explained by the chairman. Mr Bartesley, retiring secretary of the Provincial Patriotic Committee, wrote thanking Zone E for work done and co-operation extended to him. Hon. Vincent AA’ard succeeds the retiring secretary, and proposes to make a tour of the zone later. Mr Seddon said Mr AA 7 ard was very capable and already had taken up the threads of the work; he was acting in an honorary capacity. It was decided to send Mr Bartesley a letter of appreciation. Advice was received to the effect that in future the Red .Cross Society can only make appeals under the following conditions; —(1) Under permit and the money handed to the zone committee; (2) for peace-time domestic purposes. In regard to the latter condition the public must be informed that they are contributing to the domestic funds of a Red Cross Society and not to wartime funds. Mr (Seddon said that the position regarding the collecting of funds was now clear, and should result in no confusion on the part of the public as to which fund their contributions are to be directed. Regarding the £l,000,000 appeal now launched, the chairman said the amount would tide the National Council over for a considerable time, but he stated in reply to a question that there would be further appeals in the future. He read correspondence on' the subject, pointing out that the goal was £1,000,000, which had been estimated to be the amount which the various zones should be capable of raising. The quota for Zone E would be £20,000, and he hoped that the organisation would be able to raise the amount needed. Mr Seddon outlined the methods to be employed in sponsoringHhe campaign. He regretted that the apppal should come at the same time as a compulsory loan,. The money would, be dealt with fairly and equitably and would be spent where required —not necessarily confining the amount spent to the amount raised by any particular zone.

The chairman said that in future a quarterly statement of finances would be prepared and published by the Patriotic Council. By that method the people would have knowledge of amounts collected and spent.

REHABILITATION PLANS. Concerning the question of rehabilitation, Mr Seddon said he would like to hear the report of local body representatives as to the appointment of sub-committees in their districts. He suggested that there be sub-commit-tees in Hunterville, Mangaweka, Marton, Foxton, Sanson and Bulls. The matter of the Oroua, Kiwitea, Pohangina and Feilding local bodies was one on which he invited, suggestions. Mr Drew felt that the advisory committees should have representatives of the R.S.A.

Mr Thompson said that a committee had been formed at Hunterville, while Mr Campbell suggested that a sub-committee in Feilding could deal with the matter of rehabilitation as far as the Oroua, Kiwitea and Feilding local bodies were concerned. Concerning Pohangina, Mr Howell said he felt that a composite committee in Feilding could operate successfully, but be had not discussed the matter finally with the secretary. Mr Seddon said that each local body would have one representative on the composite committee in addition to a representative of the R.S.A. a.nd the old Patriotic Committee. It was desirable to facilitate the work and also necessary that the committee be called together as required. Mr Drew said the position regarding the Manawatu County Council would be known by AVednesday while, regarding Mangaweka, the representative would advise the chairman as soon as possible. Mr Seddon said that the Pohangina County could have two representatives on the composite committee in Feilding should it be necessary to cater for, both the Apiti and Pohangina districts.

The treasurer reported that, to date, the contributions to tho London Relief Fund in Zone E amounted to £1605 13s Sd, additional to v hich was Feilding’s quota to date of £358 18s 3d. Mr Seddon said the Government had agreed to make available £IOO,OOO worth of sterling for the London Relief Fund and if the contributions to the fund exceeded that amount the surplus would go into the Provincial Patriotic Council’s fund.

Mr Tate reported on the work of the ladies’ committee in connection with the parcels and comforts work, stating that the ladies had "done splendidly. Instead of 620 parcels from the Zone 792 had been despatched, of which number 400 had been packed at Feilding.

“It is a wonderful effort,’’ commented the Mayor, who added that the ladies had constituted themselves into a zone committee and they willingly and uncomplainingly worked well. The Borough Council Chambers were now like a warehouse.

A vote of appreciation was accorded the ladies on the motion of Mr Perreau. ' '

It was decided to open an imprest account at the bank, to be operated on by the chairman, treasurer and either Mr A. Campbell or Mr G. J. Fitzpatrick.

Mr Perreau stated that an entertainment committee would be set up at Foxton for the social welfare of men in the military camp there. The meeting left it in Mr Perreau’s hands to act in the matter. The Awahuri-Kopane ladies’ patriotic sub-committee reported on its activities, and it was resolved—that a grant be made to reimburse it for the expenses incurred in connection with the provision of soldiers’ comforts.