STATEMENT APPROVED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24402, 13 September 1940, Page 4

STATEMENT APPROVED

SPECIAL MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The question of criticism of the organisation and conduct of the Queen Carnival appearing in the columns of the press was discussed at a special meeting of the carnival executive. A statement prepared by the chairman. Mr Arthur Barnett, in connection with a protest against his remarks in the course of a progress report to the Patriotic Council on Tuesday last, was submitted to the meeting. It was decided that the personal statement made by Mr Barnett had the full approval of those who. as members of the executive, had a very close knowledge of the circumstances, and were in'a position to appreciate the great amount of time and energy the chairman was putting into the Queen Carnival effort and could best realise the disinterestedness of his motives and his keen anxiety to see the collection of the necessary fund go with a swing from the outset. Unhelpful Critics Consideration was given also to a number of anonymous letters that have appeared in the correspondence columns of the local papers. The con-

elusion was reached that, while the voluntary and well-intentioned efforts of those who had undertaken the great volume of work involved must, be inevitably subject to criticism by those who felt the job could be done better, no useful purpose could be served by entering into a press controversy with such anonymous correspondents. Constructive suggestions would always be welcome, and wherever it was found possible to fit them into the general scheme as already laid down after careful thought and planning, they would be given full consideration. Every minute of the time available was needed, however, to push the carnival to a successful conclusion; and it would be merely a dissipation of that valuable time to attempt to deal with critics who had nothing constructive to put forward. A genuine attempt had been made to organise the carnival on a basis which would embrace every section of the community, wi Trout making the scheme too cumbersome and unwieldy. After long and careful consideration, it had been deemed best to limit the number of queens to three—one for each branch of the armed forces. Every effort had been made to embrace all sections of the community by the method of allocating all types of occupations and businesses to one or other of the queens. Those engaged or employed in the various trades or occupations would support the queen to which that type of business or calling had been allocated, though in actual fact the vital point was not so much (he support of any particular queen as giving to the appeal generally on the most generous scale possible to the individual. Selection of Helpers With regard to the setting up of commhteee and sub-committees to organise the raising of funds, this had been done by calling on those best able to devote time and energy to the work. No thought of class distinction came into the matter, but there were necessarily many oherwise willing workers who were not free during working.hours to undertake the duties which members ok committees must he called on to perform as and when the need arose. there was ample scope for .all who wisheo to assise even in their free time, since a wide variety of activities would socn be in operation. If those ,whj wished: to offer their services would get into touch with the honorary executive secre ary (Mr R. D. Stewart, Otago A and P. Society. 83 Crawford street) or with any of the secretaries or chairmen of sub-committees they would be assured of a grateful acceptance of such help as they were able to offer. The executive and the various subcommittees could do no more than their best to carry out the task, while at the same time doing what I hey could towards looking after their own affairs. While the strain lasted, there 1 was no time available to deal with side issues or isola ed criticism. The great thing was to set all petty personal considerations aside and get,on with the iob of ensuring that our men would be adequately cared for on their re urn to civil life. The executive felt it could fairly appeal to the community as a whole to take a broad and generous view of the position and support the carnival in that spirit. ■ In particular? the public might be asked, with all reason, to absolve the executive and its officers from the unprofitable task of dealing with anonymous newspaper correspondence. Letters, critical or otherwise, addressed direct to the secretary, would receive proper consideration.