PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1940, Page 5

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

MEETING IN MASTERTON

j PilOl'UilALS OUTLINED BY MAYOR. i DISTRICT COMMITTEE ARI OINTED. There was a large and representative attendance at the public meeting convened by the Mayor of Masterton. Mr T. Jordan, for the purpose of setting up a district patriotic committee, and held in the Social Hall, Municipal Buildings, last night. Mr Jordan explained that he had called the meeting for lhe purpose of setting up a committee to deal with all local patriotic fund purposes, such as the farewclling of soldiers and for the spending of money belonging to the province. He explained how Wairarapa came under the control of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council. which in accordance with the regulations had the power to appoint a spending agent. He looked forward to the time when the local committeewould apply for the power of spending agent. Mr Jordan stated the committee would ultimately become the local Patriotic Society of this war. It would not be a Wairarapa district committee, as it had been agreed in the Wairarapa to elect a patriotic committee in each centre of population. "In our locality it had been agreed to unite with the Masterton. Mauriceville and Castlepcint Counties, thus so far as we were concerned there was one district committee," said Mr Jordan.

Mr Jordan then submitted some suggestions for the consideration of the I committee, stating that the local Pat- , riotic Society, which had been doing 3 splendid work for lhe past 25 years, . and the Wairarapa R.S.A. should > be invited lo co-operate. Represen- . tatives of local bodies and commercial men of the community should also be I included on the committee, the latter . in particular, as he considered that the , work would become more of a business later on. Mr Jordan suggested . that a men’s committee be set up on ■ the lines he had indicated, and also that a ladies' auxiliary committee be , appointed to work in conjunction with the Mayoress. Mrs Jordan. In connection with the latter all women's , organisations would be represented on , the committee: each organisation would be written to and asked to appoint a delegate on the committee. I Mr Jordan's suggestions met with j the unanimous approval of the meet- ! ing. and on the motion of Mr J. Jameson. seconded by Mrs H. E. Pither, it was decided that a ladies' committee be appointed on the lines indicated by Mr Jordan, coupled with a suggestion that every women's organisation be written to and asked to appoint delegates. MEN’S DISTRICT COMMITTEE. The following were appointed a | men’s district committee: Messrs T.' Jordan (chairman); J. Robertson. M.P., H. M. Boddington, H. J. Brass (in connection with their experience on t,he Wairarapa Patriotic Association). R. E. Gordon Lee (chairman of the Masterton County Council); E. W. Cheetham (chairman of the Mauriceville County Council); W. G. Groves (representing the chairman of the Castlepoint County Council); H. H. Mawley ’ (chairman I of the Wairarapa Hospital Board); J. C. D. Mackley (Masterton County Clerk); E. M. Hodder. P. G. Ramsay. H. P. Hugo and J. Jameson (representing the town). The Town Clerk. Mr. G. T. | O'Hara Smith was unanimously appointed to the position of secretary. At the request of Mr H. G. Alexander, who asked that the chairman forget his modesty and give more publicity to the important positions he held in : connection with Patriotic funds. Mr Jordan stated that he was chairman of the National Advisory Council, which advised the National Fund Board and the various provincial counI oils in matters concerning Patriotic Funds. He was also deputy-chair-man of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council, chairman of the zone committee recently set up, and now chairman of the district committee. (Applause). CONTROL OF FUNDS. i Taking the opportunity to stress I strongly the fact that the Government | did not control the Patriotic funds. Mr | Jordan stated that each Mayor of boroughs, and the chairman of local| bodies had the power to appoint an-i thorised collectors. He pointed out that’ it was an offence for anyone lo collect, funds for patriotic purposes without I benig appointed an authorised collec-1 tor. at the same time emphasising that I the regulations provided for the exemption of the above provisions in the case of funds collected for the sendoff for local troops. Mr Jordan stated that there were only four National Fund collectors, namely, the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army organisations, the combined St John and Red Cross organisation and the Air Force Rela- , lions Committee. In the course of the next month, at a date to be announced i later, a collection would be taken up by the Salvation Army and the Y.M.C.A. for lhe National Fund. CLEARING UP POSSIBLE DOUBTS. , Opportunity was taken by the Mayor , of Masterton to explain clearly any • ' possible doubts or misconceptions , which may exist concerning the organ- _ isation. collection and spending of both ' National and Provincial patriotic funds. In reply to a question Mr Jordan i stated: "To prevent the overlapping in . the collection, when the National Fund collectors wanted to collect, they had ( first to get permission from the local . chairman of (he district in which ill. was proposed to make the collection.! I-’or example, the Y.M.C.A. anti the I Salvation Army wanted to collect, as National Fund collectors, in tiiis area fi-eip March 9 to Marcb. 1(5. They ha,- j ,i.> approach me. as chairman of the j district, for pel-mission to collect. In , !in-: case the- Salvation Army and the ‘ Y.M.C.A. had chosen lhe wook on which we were* celebrating' our local Centennial celebrations, which would not be a good week to collect. I then suggested, when the application was made that tho> should chose another week cither before or after lhe local I Centennial celebrations week." i In reply to the question about giving I Mi- Jordan stressed the I'ael lhat|] people should make donations in small I ] instalments. As collections would be I made from time to time donors could ‘ . spread their donations over a period. , Mr Jordan stated that the National Fund would be used for overseas pur-I poses, in particular. such as comforts ■ for Hie sick and the wounded and lo equalise Provincial funds in the!

case of a province not being so well off. The National fund would bear the greater strain—ultimately the repatriation of the men who went overseas. The Provincial Patriotic Funds were being used very effectively indeed, added Mr Jordan. They had committees at work dealing with camp amenities, recreational facilities, etc. while another committee was dealing with the provision of books and literature, and another was concerned with the means and methods of raising funds. The job was being done very well indeed, and they were well satisfied. BrigadierGeneral Sir Herbert Hart had stated recently that he had never yet seen men in any camp so well treated as those in Trentham Camp. While on a recent inspection of that camp, Colonel Hargest asked a camp cook where he came from, and was informed that he had been the assistant chef at a well known hotel in Wellington.

Mr J. C. D. Mackley (County Clerk): "Will the money to be sent overseas be in New Zealand currency or sterling?”

Mr Jordan: "That is the only part where the Government comes in. as they arrange for that." Mr J. Hair: "Have any arrangements been made to safeguard donors for the stuff put on the ships?" Mr Jordan: "You may rest assured that advantage will be taken of the experience gained in the last war." In reply to a question by Mrs J. Caselberg. Mr Jordan stated that the Plunket Society would be allowed to collect for it? own funds, providing that the date chosen for the collection did not clash with the date already selected by an authorised collecting agent. He pointed out that it was a matter of arrangement. Mr Jordan said that it gave him—as well as others —a cold shiver down the spine to see the disgraceful send-off the town gave the first troops which loft. He hoped that in future people would realise that the men were on active

In moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr .Jordan for the splendid manner in which he had handled the meeting. Mr J. Jameson paid a glowing tribute to Mr Jordan's capabilities. The motion was carried by acclamation. Apologies for absence were received from the Messrs W. 11. Chcctharn. H. M Boddineion. E. R. Rogers. A. D 1 ow. G. R. Wilson. 11. P. Hugo. H H Mawley and R. E. Gordon Lee. LATEST DONATIONS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MAYOR. The Mayor. Mr T. Jordan, acknowledges receipt of Hie following additional donations to the Patriotic Fund: —

£ d Previously aek now 1 cdged. .... 151 19 () Mrs Hugh Morrison .... 3 3 0 Harold Bennett 1 1 0 Anon Qiddit.i 2 G A. A R 0 Four fowls (donated bv S. Ravncri (5 4 Mr and Mrs H. E. Either .. . 3 3 (1 R. Liverton I 1 0 Mr and Mrs R. Heath ... 1 1 (I