PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 268, 6 December 1939, Page 2

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

VIGILANCE COMMITTEE NOT INVITED PROTEST FROM MEMBERS CENTENNIAL LIABILITIES The. mayor, Air. G. S. A foody, presided at the meeting of the Patriotic Committee held in the Mission Hall last night. The minutes of the previous meeting as read by the secretary, Air. G. W. Button, were confirmed. Apologies for absence were received from Airs. J. T. Thompson-, Airs. F. J. .Short, and Airs. W. A. Gault. The chairman asked Air. Short to give an account of proceedings as the chairman was unlamilar with events through absence on account of illness. Air. Stevenson asked if the Vigilance Committee had been, asked to attend. Air. Short said that since the last meeting, a meeting was held at Whakatano at which resolutions were enrriedi pledging the Opotiki Centenial Committee t« carry out the duties of the Patriotic. Committee. Unfortunately Opotiki had no representative at the meeting. 'The Vigilance Committee, which was formed before the regulations were framed, had no authority to take ui) patriotic work. It would he very difficult to have the regulations amended. Numerous complaints had been made with regards with the spending of the funds and Air. Short considered the regulations a little too severe. At the meeting at Tauranga, the chairman expressed the opinion that the spending of the money would not present the difficulties that were imagined. Air. Short: said that the difficult eases would arise alter the wa r. Air. Button dealt with the motion concerning the sending of the resolution to the -Minister and the various committees. He stated that the Centennial Committee’s liability was 618. The matter of finance laid cropped up and lie did not want to take on the responsibility of the extra cost involved in posting over 5)9 letters. Air. Stevenson said! that he still protested concerning the invitation not being sent to the -Vigilance Committee. Air. Button said that it was decided to hold over the meeting until the Vigilance Committee had received n reply to its letter requesting authority to .raise funds. Noi reply was received. The Vigilance. Committee had decided at a meeting to still endeavour to got authority. Air. Hampton asked why Air. Button persistently spoke of ‘wo’. Air Joplison emlorsedl the previous speaker’s remarks, and said that if the secretary was not going to carry out the executive’s requests, the sooner they got a now secretary the better. Air. Button said that lie had tried to explain the position. Air. Joplison said .the position needed no explaining. Air. Stevenson said that ho particularly wanted the Vigilance Committee there so that they could co-operate. Thcv were oulv wasting time.

Air. Attwcod said that lie realised such a position might arise and he had prepared two motions: Jt would he » great pitv if members <>!{ the Association had to he disbanded. Air. Attwood tin'll moved: “The secretary hi'! instructed to write to the War Vigilance Association pointing out that the Opotiki Centennial Committee lias been appointed by the Government to he the Patriotic Committee for war purposes. Further that to ensure full co-ordination of effort in our district, the Patriotic Committee extends n hearty invitation to the War Vigilance Association to join tlie Patriotic Committee, bringing its full organisation and officers into the common cause and from its number providing five additional members in our executive.” “The secretary be instructed! to write to the Opotiki branch of the Red Cross Association , pointing out that the Opotiki Centennial committee has been appointed by- the Government to he the Patriotic Committee for war purposes. Further, that to ensure full co-ordination of effort in our district, the Patriotic Committee extends ft hearty invitation to' the Rod Cross Association to appoint three representative ladies from its Women's' section to he members of our executive.” Mir. Reeves seconded the - motion, stating that it had been, the intention to woirlc in with other bodies. Mr. Short said that as one who was on both bodies he was of tin* opinion that a solution should he found toi the difficulty, and the motion that had: been put should he supported. The

officers of the Vigilance Association, should lie retained and the very best results would he obtained. Mr. Stevenson said he supported the motion as also did Air. Baigent. The- motion, was carried unanimously. Air. Short suggested that the Vigilance Committee he asked to attend a joint meeting's next Tuesday night when Air. Wilkinson, Mayor of Taurnnga. could be present. A discussion arose as to the advisability of inviting the Mayor of Tannin ga to the first meeting and it was finally decided to try to arrange the joint meeting for next Tuesday night, and toi invite the Mayor of Tourangn. to attend a later meeting. Air. Jephson asked if the committee had been notified of the meeting at Wliakatane. Mr Short said that as far as he knew tlierc had been no. invitation. Mr. Jephson said they shouldi find out why they were not invited to attend the Wliakatane meeting. Mr. <ile A lorn talk said that lie felt strongly on the matter. Opotiki seemed to ho ignored. A discussion arose concerning the liabilities of the Centennial Committee which amounted to aboj.it £l4 14/-. Mr. Stevenson suggested sending the badges hack. He said that the Borough Council had given £5 5/-. Mr. Henry said that the sporting, bodies might care to assist. Air. Button .said that) he had recoiled an offer from a local firm to. .accept a greatly reduced amount and stated that the firm had made the suggestion that others might feel inclined to do likewise. Olio member suggested that the secretary might care to accept a reduced remuneration. Air. do Atontalk suggested submitting a statement of accounts toi -the County Council, andl this was decided upon. • j The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.