"SHOULD BE ASHAMED"

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1940, Page 8

"SHOULD BE ASHAMED"

LITTLE HELP FOR LONDON MR. E. DIXON'S VIEWS • Criticism of a lack of response to an appeal for funds for the relief of distress at London was expressed by Mr. E. Dixon at a meeting of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce last night when various aspects of patriotic appeals were discussed. "One cannot but express surprise that the newspapers were not rushed by people with their shillings and pounds," said Mr. Dixon, referring to the bombing o£ London. "I thought the newspapers would be deluged with donations but what ' have we got — about 20 people. "If we have to get a committee to canvass at a time like this we should be ashamed to be Britons," he said. "The people have been touched, but very few have given so as to feel what they hava. done. I did expect that on this occasion there would be no need to make a personal canvass. I was wondering if the chamber could do anything to spur on. the response to the appeal, which is more urgent than any other appeal that has been made." ' , , Mr. G. C. Harris: Has an appeal been made from London? Mr. Dixon: We should not wait for them to appeal. _ • Mr. Harris: I think that if an appeal came from the heart of the world it would make a big difference. Mr. E. K. Cameron (chairman): London is too big, too proud and too noble to ask for assistance. "We are being squashed by Ministers who have put an embargo on the amount that we can send overseas and that is . having a retarding effect," said Mr. W. V. Patterson. . ' "There are doubts in the minds of many whether the money is going overseas," said Mr. A. S. Dalton, who felt that the spirit of the people had been dampened. Already £100,000 had been sent overseas by the National Patriotic Council, which should be commended for its action, said Mr. Dixon, who considered that the public should have responded immediately to find the amount. Mr. L. H. Clapham comfnented that £2,000 would have to be found by the provincial councils and that Taranaki S quota was about £1100.