FIGHTER PLANE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 4

FIGHTER PLANE

DAIRY COMPANY OFFER £SOO IN FIVE MINUTES SUPPLIERS’ VOLUNTARY EFFORT A suggestion by one of the committeemen at the New Zealand Cooperative Dairy Company’s annual smoke concert last night that suppliers should voluntarily subscribe sufficient funds to purchase a fighter aeroplane for Britain met with spontaneous support. In five minutes over £SOO had been donated. The suggestion was made by Mr A. S. Lamb, of Te Puninga, who said that the company’s choice of an Anchor for its emblem seemed particularly fitting. The company was the sheet anchor of the industry in New Zealand, just as England was the sheet anchor of the British Empire. He thought it would be a fitting gesture if the suppliers voluntarily subscribed sufficient to purchase a fighter aeroplane. “ There are 11,000 suppliers, and I understand a fighter costs between £SOOO and £6000,” said Mr Lamb. “To show our appreciation of the excellent work being done by our airmen I think we, as suppliers, could subscribe a fighter plane. The sooner it is done the better, as every minute is precious for England.” Example to Others The suggestion was met with applause. In seconding it Mr A. B. Fyers, of Te Kowhai, said it would be a fine move and an example to others. He thought suppliers and people generally would be pleased to make further sacrifices for such a worthy cause. “ I want to congratulate the mover an 1 his thought. The spontaneous request is sure to meet with approval,” said Mr W. Marshall, chairman of direetprs of the company. “ The value of the gift will lie in the speed with which it is made, and I have pleasure in starting a fund off with £5 55.” Soon after Mr Marshall’s announcement, the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, who was present, promised £5 ss, Mr C. J. Parlane gave £lO 10s, and the fund received a decided fillip when Mr W. Goodfellow added his cheque for £250. Mr P. H. Saxton donated £SO, and following a large number of spontaneous gifts ranging from £2 2s to £lO 10s, an annonymous gift of £SO was sent in. Within five minutes the fund had reached £504 4s. It was arranged that the subscription list should remain open at the meeting today until sufficient money had been subscribed.

ANOTHER PLANE EMPIRE DAIRIES’ GESTURE The announcement that the directors of Empire Dairies, Limited, had decided to donate £SOOO in sterling to Britain for the purchase of a fighter aircraft was made by Mr W. Marshall, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, at the annual meeting of the company today. Mr Marshall said that Australia shared in the business of the company, but the Australian directors had unanimously agreed with the New Zealand directors to donate the money necessary for a fighter plane. Appeal to Suppliers

At the annual meeting of suppliers to the company Mr C. J. Parlane, the general manager, stated that a circular to all suppliers would be sent out with the cream cheques, and an order form included for donations to be deducted by the company if desired. “We do not want this campaign to drag on,” said" Mr Parlane. “The quicker the money comes to hand the better, and the more use the fighter will be. I hope we can advise the British Government in a few days that we have the funds.” Mr Parlane said that the junior members of the staff had shown their desire to assist in the campaign, and had collected no less than £45 16s 6d.