The Levin Chronicle. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1918.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 7 March 1918, Page 2

The Levin Chronicle. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1918.

The Horowhenua County Pa-

trio tic Association made an important decision at its meetingyesterday after a long and animated debate. The Association had before it an application by a returned soldier ft>r an advance of £150 for two years at the current rate of interest on security that was admittedly ample. Opinion was divided as to the wisdom of conserving ilit; accumulated funds tor the present in view of the heavy demand:: that were certain to be made wlien the whole of the men re'.iuued from the Avar, and on the other hand letting- out sums to soldiers already returned where the circumstances were approved. The advantages of both courses were very earnestly urged and it was then found that the rules of the Association expressly provided for the advance of money to returned men. It was pointed out. that this policy did not ftiean dissipating' the funds, which would lie repaid ina year or Iwo ami so be available for further use in furtherance of the objects of the Fund. The opinion was expressed that the Association might more justifiably advance money to returned men with proper safeguards than invest it at comparatively low rates with, the Public Trustee or place it 011

fixed deposit at the Lank. Dis~ cussLoii also took place 011 the pu- I mi. wntiiier a liJijii snouid l)e ii.veil to tlie amount advanced Lo any soldier. After iuil and free discussion the association agreed thai, the rule permitting tlie ada auce of its lunds be now aliuweu to operate, each case lo be decided on lis merits, and it was decided further tliat a limit oi &iuO be fixed to tiie amounts of individual advances. 'iJie soldier's application winch gave rise to this settlement of tlie Association's future policy was then granted, it being considered that the conditions laid down were fully complied with. The meeting was very representative of the whole County and the view was expressed 1 that the release of part of the 1 funds would strengthen the hands of the district societies in their appeals to the public for assistance.

Babies formed the subject of an interesting interlude at yesterday's meeting oi tlie Jlorowhcr ntut Patriotic Association. Mr id. i'N ■ Stephenson announced that as' a result of the Shannon Patriotic Carnival, a cheuue for over HuilU would be available for the County JAmd (applause)-. About iooU of this came from the Baby Carnival. "I never heard of so many babies in my life before, remarked Mr Stephenson amidst laughter. 'Mr Kichards_ announced that the lhakara-Koputaroa babies had been mobilised in tlie same good fund-raising campaign which would close on March 27, 'and Mr Howard Andrew, said Manakau would be holding a big gathering with a Baby Cariiiva on March 20 and 21. Mr hnmk j > ej)u regn-civilly admitted tiia Otaki had overlooked the possibilities of the little people, but nevertheless would have ilbO 01 £2UO to hand over as the result of the recent fete there, ihe Mayor congratulated the branches mentioned on their success m the eL forts just past, and extended the Association's good wishes for the carnivals to come.

Mr W. M. Clark, who has just returned from a motor tour of Taranaki, was much impressed by the thorougii manner ill which the public bodies of those parts are dealing with the loading problem. * Like other motorists he found travelling on the tarred roads a delightful experiencte after the highways of the southern portion of the -Iforth Island. Ev identlv the authorities there are satisfied with-the success of tarred macadam, for preparations were under way extend the work over very wide areas and Taranaki should soon be a veritable paradise for motorists.

Speaking at yesterda/s meetnig' of tiie iiorowhenua Patriotic Ailoeiaiion, Mr (i. 3. Stephenson gratefully acknowledged tiie support given by the- flaxworicers in ilie recent carnival at biiannon which resulted in over £500 being raised tor patriotic funds.

Tte. \Y. G. Clark, eldest sou of iir W. M. Clark, of Levin, was takeii io a hospital in France wri-li a severe attack of trench fever, auvice having- been received to this effect from the Defence Minister yesterday. Mr Clark s _ second son, Tom, left this morning for Trent ham with the draft for the oOtli''ilcinforceuaeuts.

Mr J. McLeavey raised the point at yesterday's *meeting of the Horowiieiuia Patriotic Associatiou as to the conditions under which soldiers could obtain land. It was decided to obtain full information on this subject.

Advice was received at yesterday's meeting' of the Horowlieiiua County Patriotic Association of the Government's offer" to pay the difference between the wages actually earned by returned men and the full wage, while such men were becoming efficient at the particular trade they selected. Mr C. S. Keedwell said a case had come under his notice where a man wished to loarii a trade such as caipoiih ring or cabinet making, bu! no employer could afford to pay him the full wage while lie was becoming efficient. The soldier under notice was at present trying fla>: cut ting which was a very unsuitable occupation for him If the Government was willing to make up tlie difference between the sum an employer could pay an unskilled worker and say the award rate, the returned nuan would have the opportunity of becoming' a skilled tradesman and useful member of the community instead of remaining just a casual labourer. The speaker was rather doubiful of the Government's intention to do this. The Mayoi* suggested making a test case of the one under notice. Mr Keedwell also urged that the Association should have some well-defin-ed system of getting in touch with returned men and seeing that their needs in regard to employment are met. The meeting gen eralJy agreed that it was desirable to keep a register of returned Eien and not allow them to drift out of touch with the Association.