WESTERN AREA PLAN

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 8

WESTERN AREA PLAN

patriotic , activities Patriotic ■ organisations in Opunake borough and Egmont county, previously jbined. under a district controlling committee, will in future operate independently," although in respect of the various country centres the existing system of central control will be retained. The separation followed the discussion, at a meeting of the Egmont- Opunake controlling committee, of a remit from the Rahotu committee recommending that country centres withdraw from the controlling committee, and it was stated that the action was being taken by mutual agreement between county and borough representatives. Explaining the purpose of the proposal, Mr. W. G. Green, who presided in the absence of the committee chairman, Mr. A. J. Brennan, stated that a certain amount of overlapping had occurred under the existing scheme, which had the tendency of destroying the important element of local incentive. Those workers of the country centres who associated themselves with patriotic endeavour felt that they should have full credit for their efforts, whereas at present they were acknowledged more on a district basis. In recommending the withdrawal of country representatives from the committee, the Rahotu committee had envisaged a committee comprising county representatives only to replace the organisation now in existence, said Mr. L, E. Tucker. While retaining central control of finanees, each local committee would run its own affairs, said the secretary, Mr. C. Frechtling, who agreed thgt the "dissolution of partnership" would be of advantage to both county and borough. Mr. W. A. Sheat stressed the desirability of maintaining contact among country delegates under the new arrangement. Mr. Sheat pointed out the possibility that, since Opunake was the major centre for a large proportion of country people, funds raised by borough efforts would include substantial contributions from the county area, which would be denied recognition of it. Mr. G. Feaver, the only borough representative present, seconded Mr. Green's motion that the present committee be disbanded and that it be replaced by a similar organisation limited to the county, area only. Mr. Green was elected as chairman of the new committee, and the necessary financial arrangements were completed. The district farewells committee was similarly dissolved and reconstituted, although there was an understanding that there should be co-operation between county and borough activities. Authority had been given for the eonduct of a patriotic raffle under the joint control of the Egmont-Opunake and the Kaponga committees, stated Mr. Frechtling. The prize was a suite of oak bed-

room furniture donated by Mr. Harding. Each district committee undertook to organise the collection of non-ferrous scrap metals. Dumps will be established at dairy factories and the county engineer will arrange for the collection of dumps. The organisation of the Spitfire fund appeal in the country area was left in the hands of committees. Division of the Puniho Road as a collecting area in the same manner as thal adopted for the purposes of ro9d maintenance by the Taranaki and Egmont county councils was suggested by the Okato patriotic committee. The proposal was declined on the motion of Mr. Green, who stated that the committee should make every effort to preserve the actual boundaries. On behalf of the Te Kiri committee Mr. Dormer asked that the provincial council be asked to investigate the question of canteen profits , and of the delivery of soldiers' parcels. Collections within the area for all patriotic purposes now totalled £1855 15s lld, the respective district amounts being: Pungarehu £272 12s, Rahotu £581 1 13s 9d, Oaonui £179 8s 9d, Pihama £192 6s ld, Te Kiri £91 0s lld. Opunake £367 5s 2d. Additional amounts were the country women's appeal of £84 7s and Red Cross donations sent direct totalling £86 2s 3d. Amounts held to the credit of the various farewell committees totalled £128 0s 5d.