MONEY NOT DIVERTED

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 8

MONEY NOT DIVERTED

rahotu patriotic work complaint disposed of Investigation of charges made by a Rahotu resident to the Minister in charge of patriotic effort that the Women's Division of Rahotu had applied funds, ostensibly raised for patriotic purposes, to another pupose has been undertaken by the Fgmont-Opunake controlling committee, to which the case was referred through the Taranaki Patriotic Council. After consideration of all the facts, the committee found that there had been no infringement of the regulations on the part of the Women's Division, and strong criticism of the action of the complainant was voiced. Explaining the circurhstances, Mr. L. E. Tucker, secretary of the Rahotu patriotic committee, stated that at his request the division had undertaken to provide the Rahotu proportion of the district qu.ota of standardised parcels. At that time, the division was conducting a series of euchre parties to provide funds for its own contribution of parcels, and Mr. Tucker said that he had been fully in agreement with the suggestion that the proceeds of the remaining parties should be devoted to the public effort. Ln that respect, he possibly overstepped the bounds of his authority, said Mr. Tucker, but he considered the arrangement a reasonable one. The fact that the parties were in aid of the district parcel fund had not been publicly advertised. Not the slightest grounds for suspicion existed, declared Mr. W. A. Sheat, who deprecated the action of the complainant in making direct contact with the Minister instead of addressing his inquiry to the committee. If complaints of that nature were to be made, people would soon lose interest in patriotic work, he declared. In letting the Women's Division know that it was perfectly satisfied with the position and that its assistance was appreciated, the committee should also indicate that it regretted that there was anyone in Rahotu capable of such an underhand action. There were no grounds for complaint if efforts for patriotic purposes were duly authorised, said the chairman, Mr. ■W. C. Green. It was pointed out by the secretary, Mr. C. Frechtling, however, that where funds were raised for patriotic purposes they could not be applied to any other purpose. The provincial council is to be advised that the committee's finding was that the functions were not advertised as a patriotic effort and that the regulations had not been infringed. ■ In future district collections of standardised parcels, women's organisations that have undertaken to pack parcels will be permitted to call op the committee to provide the necessary- materials.