LEAGUE OF SOLDIERS MOTHERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3158, 9 August 1917, Page 3

LEAGUE OF SOLDIERS MOTHERS

THE MATTER OP PENSIONS. In responso to tho request of a deputation from Auckland concerning the formation in Wellington of a First Division Leaguo of Mothers (i.e., mothers with sons belonging to the First Division), n meeting of women was called by the Mayoress (lira. .T. P. Luke), and held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. There was a very fair attendance of women (principally mothers), ami the Mayoress presided. Associated with her on the platform were tho members of tho Auckland deputation, Mesdames 15. Nicol (secretary). A. Edmunds (treasurer), P. Smith and 11. Woods.

In opening tho meeting, Mrs. Luko stated that she had hot had time yet to thoroughly examine tho nims and objects of the league which it was proposed to establish, but she had no doubt that if the meeting approved of thom the league would bo formed and its aims pursued with the enthusiasm necessary to achieve the results which were desired. She did not think it advisable that personal grievances should be brought forward, because what was conveyed by the claims of the league was not the remedying of personal grievances, but the remedying of matters in which mothers of soldiers throughout the Dominion would benefit. Mrs? Nicol, who wan called upon to sneak, outlined the steps which had been HVei' in Auckland to form this league, and described the success which had attended the effort. The Mayor of Auckland who was the head of the Patriotic Society there, and. wns by virtue of lua connection with it thoroughly conversant with the disadvantages under which many of the mothers and wives of soldiers suffered, had tfhown much sympathy with the project, and had agreed that steps should bo taken which would render- their position easier from the financial standpoint. "When the Government calls upon the loyalty or .our men," said Mrs. Nicol, "it should be return show loyalty to them and their dependants.-" Continuing, she stated that it was desirable that the pensions granted should be made Imperial pensions, since the Government of England was sympathetic to Now Zealand because of the loyalty which had been shown by its manhood. For three years the mothers of New Zealand had borne heavy burdens, and the country should bo aiive to their needs. It wae not right that they should have to seek relief as though it were eliarity. The depeiidante soldiers should bo placed beyond the pinch of want. Tc-day the pension of 10s. a week hardly paid for rent, let alone bread and butter. The Patriotic Society in Auckland was helping to augment this miserable pittance handed out to mothers, but it was the Dominion's absolute duty to grant as a right a pension and allowances thatwould keep them from want.

Mrs. Nicol pointed out that the country was wonderfully prosperous at the present time, but even now food prices were very high. What would happen when a period of depression set in? Unless they made 6ure of getting these matters properly adjusted while the war was on there would be little chancewhen it was at an end. Widows whose sons had fallen at the front should get the same pension as wives who had lost their husband through the war. Another point touched upon by Mrs. Nicol in the course of her speech was that the war pension should be granted without taking into consideration the old-age pension.- The latter was theirs by right when the person had qualified for it, and should have no relation to the war pension. She then proceeded to read and explain the aims and claims of the league which had been formed in Auckland.

The following motion was pul: to the meeting:—"That all present of the mothers and wives of the men of the First Division form themselves into a league for, the betterment of the financial conditions of the 711011161-3." The motion was seconded and tarried, and the platform of the league, which was published in The Domxiojf yesterday, was adopted. The following officers were elected:— Lady Stout, president; Mrs. MTicarand Mrs. Moore, vice-presidents: committee, Mesdames Waters, Boden, E. A. James, Barnes, Simmons, Mason. Galloway, Harlen, Neil M'Lean, Bailley, Carter, Gilclmst, H. Williams, and Mnrmont secretary.

"Charley's Aunt" Club. The "Charley's Aunt" Social Club held the fortnightly gathering in the clubrooms in Courtenay Place Inst evening. Mr. M. Carr occupied tlw chair, and the committee of the Wellington Savage Club were the guests of tlio occasion. An enjoyable programme was contributed to as follows:—Overture, the club's orchestra; eongs, Mr. ,T. Bryant, Miss Lenzini, Mastar Winston M'Carthy, Mr. Charles Moore, Miss Eileen Driscoll, Mr. V. M'Kenzie; a musical monologue, Miss F. Gow; , dramatic recitation, Mr. Paul Latham; duet, Mr. W. W. Crawford and Mr. V. M'Kenzie; 'cello solo, Miss 15. Turner; song and dance, Mr. B. Hadfield. The programme concluded with the performance of a one-act comedy (American), "Kisses and Misses," in which the characters were taken by Miss Ruby Scott, Miss Mabel Gnllichan, Mr. Albert Russell, and Mr. George Clapham. Supper was handed round during an interval, and tho singing' of the National Anthem brought to an ond a lr ery pleasant evening.