PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2730, 27 March 1916, Page 7

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE

WELLINGTON PROVINCE

delegates elected to ADVISORY BOARD

A conference of delegates of Patriotic bocieties of Wellington and district was &£ f«' North on Friday. IJwj following gentlemen- represented their respective societies:—Messrs., J. A. Nash, 0. Monrad, 13. H. Crabb, and ;W. H. Collingwood! (Palmerston), J; '.? U P£ and J. M'Kelvie (Lower Aangitikei), D. Hebenton (Wairarapa), W. H. Maclean (Hunterville), A. M. Ongloy (Feilding), F. 0. Wilson (Upper Ea'ngitikei), L. 0. H. Tripp, T. M. Wilford, J. P. Luke, W. Ferguson, D. M'Laren (Wellington), A. L. Arrowsmitli (Tailiapo), jllo'pe Gibbons (Wanganui). An the /Hon. G.. W. Russoll, Minister of Internal Affairs. . \ . terhal Affairs. - . .

The Mayor of Palmerston (Mr. J. A, Kash) was elected to the chair.

Mr. Tripp, in explaining the purpoßo of the conference outlined the work of . the previous similar gathering, laying particular stress on a recent . meeting field in Wellington, when it was decided that an Advisory Board should be con-, fititutod and that a federation .of patriotic societies should he organised. For the Advisory Board, tho various societioß throughout the Dominion stould elect members. The main trouble with' societies was obviating the exploitation of funds, and-some basis of. control should be instituted. The obairman said it was to be regretted that the Minister was not in at- ( tendance. He expected him to he present, as he convened' the conference. Mr. W. Ferguson (Wellington) said /the Minister could not be everywhere, and he saw nothing to prevent the meeting going on. Mr. T. M.. Wilford (Wellington) said the matter they were considering was the election of representatives on the Advisory Board. If one man were appointed, by the City of-Wellington, the other could be! from the country t or could elect the delegates as they thought'fit. He moved, that, Messrs. : Tripp (Wellington)'and Hope '. Gibbons (Wanganui) be elected to represent the town and country districts of Wellington respectively. Mr. E. H. Crabb (Palmeratcn) said he thought.the motion a mistake, and that the exeoutive should he'appointed from Wellington City. He moved an amendment'to that effect. 7 Mr. Ferguson said ho thought it would he moro advisable'to have one representative from the' City and one from' ■ the country, and supported the motion. The chairman said lie was strongly in favour of the motion. ,-J'he best work could be done by having one representative in the town and one in the country. j The motion was qarried. ' Organising Finances'. / The Minister forwarued the following 'correspondence: relative' to the organis- ' ation ,'of- patriotic finances' which 'had' passed between him and the Wellington Society :— ' \ ■ The secretary of the Wellington Society wroteAs you are aware since the outbreak of the war a ; number of patriotic carnivals have been inaugurated for the:purpose of raising tho necessary funds for the reljef of wounded.soldiers and other. similar objects. .These carnivals Have heen liberally supported by the public of, the; Dominion, and a very considerable snm of money is now available as a: result of these efforts. . Unfortunately, in some cases tliere has been an apparent lack of organisation in so far as the financial arrangements are concerned, and this has

resulted in criticism and comment, which would, probably havo been avoided had the public had the assuranco of adequate supervision over the funds tiiey _so willingly subscribed. The position has been considered by my executivo, who now authorise me to oifer Ifie services of members of the society to act as a-committee, under the direction of the society's local- branches to undertake tile financial organisation and supervision of subsequent patriotic carnivals or similar efforts throughout the Dominion. My committee are strongly of tho opinion that unless the financial organisation of these is thoroughly equipped and supervised both prior to and during the progress of tho carnival, the subsequent audit of. these accounts may very probably prove abortive, and possibly useless. In Christchurch recently tho local branch of the society undertook to outline and assist in the supervision of a schemo of organisation for the carnival now in progress, and I understand that this scheme, is working smoothly and satisfactorily. I have therefore to offer, on behalf of tho Bociety, the services of members, under .direction of various local branches, for the financial organisation and supervision of such undertaking on a standard basis., and under the control of your Govern-' ment."

The Minister replied as follows :—"I have tEe honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo, offering on behalf of the Wow Zealand Society- of Accountants the services of the society to act as a committee under the direction, of the' society's local branches, to undertake the financial organisation supervision of any future' pafriotic carnivals or similar efforts held throughout the Dominion. • In reply, I desire to express ray appreciation of, the proposal of your society, and to say that as far as the War Funds Act will" permit I will gladly avail myself of your offer. As, however, tho organisation of carnivals and similar efforts is undertaken by societies on their own initiative, and beyond the issue of permits to collect moneys the Government does not interfere until the audit of so-, cieties I '. accounts takes place, I can at present only bring your generous offer under. the notice of the societies throughout the Dominion for their consideration. This I will' have much pleasure in doing." . War Relief Assoolation. Mr. Ferguson invited the delegates to join the AVollington District Relief Association for the distribution: of funds to distressed soldiers. The association was working in harmony with tho Wellington Patriotic Society, ■ and he felt that if other societies joined they would assist greatly in the good work which was being done. _ ■ It was unanimously decided that the Wellington Patriotic Society be asked to initiate a schemo for the amalgamation of, the various societies. Exploitation of Societies. Tho chairman referred to the exploitation of patriotic societies. The facts wore that some soldiers went from place to place and imposed on societies and liad proved to* some extent a tax. on their funds. What was wanted was a 6chemo so that when a society was'approached for assistance tho society should inquire from the soldier Which district he came from. : The society could communicate with that district's Patriotic Society as to the 6oldier's bona fides, and if everything; was all right an advance could bo made, and then be refunded by the society in tho district to which the soldier belonged. He moved that a scheme on the lines he had suggested be drawn up, that patriotic societies communicate with each ether when making advancos to soldiers, end that suoh payments be refunded by the home society. .Mr. Hope Gibbons, iu seconding the motion, said the Wanganui Sooiety had

I experienced numerous cases like those | referred to by the chairman. and had made numbers of advances to isoldiars. Mr. Luke (Wellington) said the motion wis a good one, and lie thought other societios should be, communicated with as suggested. Tho motion was then put and carried. Club Room Wanted. Mr. Hop© Gibbons (Wanganui) spoko in support of providing a club room for tho uso of Toturnod soldiers at one of the convalescent homes at Jtotorua. Mr. Gibbons pointed out that tbero was one small home wheru the more serious cases wore kept until tlioy were fit to be moved to tbe ; larger hospital, and it was to theso latter soldiers tho spoakor referred. Dr.' Earl, of Wanganui, had recently visited Rotorua, and had reported that tho want of a club room for these men was a most urgent ono, because tlioy had no room for recreation except their hospital ward. One friend had already promised £70 towards tho purchase of a billiard table Dr. Herbert, had also reported that a liouse-boat would bo a great acquisition in order to take the. invalids to tlia various bays on the lake. As regards tho club room, tho people of Wanganui ware anxious to, see it piovidcd at onco, and would guarantee the money for the cost. Mr. Gibbons said he bolievcd in tho requirements'-of to-day being sup. plied to-aav, and not to-morrow, and he would like the meeting to pass' a resolution approving of the, proposal. The chairman said he did not think it 1 fair that the whole ooßt should he borne by Wanganui. The matter should be brought under the notice of the Mini'ster. . It was finally resolved to endorse tno action of the 'Wanganui Society in the steps they, wore and to suggest to the various patriotic societies that they should contribute .to the oost. Convalescent Homes. Mr. J. Young (Marton) introduced the matter of convalescent homes in the .country for tho use of wounded soldiers and said he was not aware until that day that there was a shortage of convalescent homes. There. were many country residences that would be offered for this purpose if it wero known:they were wantcd ( andjie knew of one at least at Eangitikei which had been offered, and was suitable in every way. The chairman 6»id there had boen sev. eral offers made to . the Government from time to time, and he could not understand the shortage. Tho Government had not accopted all the offers made them; ..... Mr. J. M'Kelvie (Lower Bangitikei) mentioned that a house had been offered in Itangitikei together with £100 for expenses. - I ' , It was decided to communicate with the Minister and ascertain the Government's requirements in .the way of homes. The following motion was unanimously agreed to: "In tho opinion of the Conference, concentration camps or territorial, oamps should be established in both islands, so that men enlisting for active service may go into camp immediately,"