PATRIOTIC EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1939, Page 6

PATRIOTIC EFFORT

SUCCESSFUL CHRISTMAS FAIR SPEECHES AT OFFICIAL OPENING. — COMPETITION RESULTS. As an organised community effort, the Christmas Fair, held in the Municipal Hall yesterday afternoon and last night, was an outstanding success. The gross proceeds, with csome returns yet to come, amount to £219, and it is estimated that the net proceeds will be £2OO. Both the afternoon and evening ses- . sions were notably successful. The sideshows were manned by “old soldiers” in all sense of the term. Business was brisk, and what little produce was not sold was auctioned. The Al asterton Municipal Band enlivened the proceedings with stirring music. The secretary, Air P. Doyle, and his assistants all worked together in perfect teamwork. In the course of a brief address prior to the official opening of the Fair, Mr J. Robertson, M.P., who presided. explained that the original idea of the Masterton Labour Party, prior to the outbreak of war, ivas to hold a Christmas Fair for party funds. Under the circumstances, however, it was felt that something should be done instead for the Patriotic Fund. The Fair was the result of the efforts of far too many to mention, but to all who had helped tljey were much indebted. It was a self-supporting effort. and all the work was being done voluntarily. Mr Robertson thanked the Masterton Borough Council for its ready assistance, the Press for generous publicity and the Municipal Band for its splendid services. The Wairarapa Electric Power Board and Messrs C. E. Daniell. Ltd., had also given valuable assistance. In conclusion Mr Robertson expressed thanks on behalf of the Fair Committee to the Wairarapa R.S.A. and expressed the hope that the public would do its part by supporting the Fair. The president of the Wairarapa R.S.A., Mr G. R. Whyborn, said he was sure that all ex-Service men in the Wairarapa heartily wished for such a Fair. Irrespective of party, colour or creed the one objective should bo kept in view—to help the men in camp who had made the sacrifice. The members of the R.S.A. knew only too well the work required to be done. In officially opening the Fair the Mayor. Mr T. Jordan, apologised for the absence of Mrs Jordan, owing to indisposition. He thanked Mrs Robertson and her committee for the buttonhole and the beautiful bouquet for Mrs Jordan. Mr Jordan strongly emphasised, in the course of his address, that the Government did not control National Patriotic Funds or the Provincial Pariotic Funds. Mr Jordan urged people not to make that an excuse for not contributing. Unfortunately it was often a case of wilful blindness. The Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council consisted of the Mayors of Wellington (chairman), Masterton (deputychairman), Lower Hutt, Petone, Featherston, Palmerston North. Wanganui. Feilding, Taihape and Levin, and the National Council was similarly representative and non-political. Mr Jordan expressed regret at having had to make his recent appeal published in the “Times-Age,” and stated that he hoped it would not be necessary again. There was one thing to be realised, the sooner the better, and that was that all would . have to knuckle down and do their bit. He urged people not to moan about taxation —in England the taxpayer paid about 7s to 7s 6d in the £ tax on income. Mr Jordan stressed the need for everyone to get on with the job. Unless we were prepared to do without something, we were liable to lose something more precious—our liberty. There was a great need for everyone to pull together. Unfortunately the ap- ‘ peal was only the beginning. He had been told that the Government should do the job of providing the extra comforts of camp life. As Colonel Hargest had said: "No troops were better treated than the troops in Trentham,” but no Government could provide or ever had provided for Regimental funds—funds which enabled soldiers to go on leave looking smart and a credit to their country. Suspicion was the mother of illwill and misunderstanding and he appealed to his listeners to cooperate in the common cause. In conclusion Mr Jordan thanked the R.S.A. for again filling the breach, and expressed the hope that the “Silent Division," in charge of the sideshows, would not long be silent. He declared the Fair officially open. COMPETITION RESULTS. Competition winners in addition to those reported yesterday, were as follow: —Permanent wave. Mr W. M. Sellar; ham, Mrs Pike. Chapel Street. Masterton; Christmas dinner. Mr Burch. Kaituna: tea cosy and box of chocolates, Mrs Collins; budgerigars and cage, Mr J. Snowsill; pansy competition. Mr O'Neil. 1; Mr Falloon, 2; fairy well (first prize a goat donated by Mrs Stidolph. second prize a dog). Allan Callistcr, 1; Mary Edwards, 2. BABY SHOW Awards in the baby show were:— Class 1: First prize, trophy donated by Mr L. S. Nicol, second prize, trophy donated by Mr W. H. Snowsill: Ninette Le Bey, 1; Jennifer Brown. 2. Class 2: First prize, one dozen photos, donated by Mr Hope Cross; second prize, trophy donated by Ivor Gordon (half dozen photos): Gary Meyrick. 1; Raymond Oakley. 2. Class 3: First prize, one dozen photos donated by Mr Hope Cross: second prize, half dozen photos donated by Ivor Gordon: Rose Grantham, 1; Gary Schelerike. 2.