FOXTON PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1879, 19 September 1918, Page 3

FOXTON PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

ITS ADMINISTRATION, DISCUSSED AT PUBLIC MEETING. The public meeting convened for last evening to discuss the actions and administration of the Eoxton Patriotic Society was well attended. Mr John Hannah was voted to the chair. Members of the Executive of the Patriotic Society were present. A resolution was proposed by Mr Hayward, “That if any members of the Patriotic Society be present, will they give reasons for their treatment of Mr Tunnieliffe?” This motion was not seconded, but gave rise to considerable comment hostile to the Society, and subsequently, on the request that if any returned soldiers were present would they state any grievance they had against the Patriotic Executive’s administration, Mr Tunnicliffe outlined his case, setting forth the circumstances from the time he was discharged from the Expeditionary Forces until (he occasion.of the recent subscription list circulated on his behalf, stating that he had received assistance 1 to the extent of £6 from the local Society some time ago. On returning to New Zealand

after having had a free passage arranged for him to England, he lignin applied to the Society for assistance, but received a communication from the Secretary stating that no further assistance could be granted. (This communication has previously been published in (he “Herald”). He interpreted this communication to mean that no further assistance under any circumstances would be granted, and although being in necessitous circumstances refrained from making further application to the Society for relief.

In reply to Mr Tunnieliffe, Mr A. J. Kellow, si member of' the Society Executive, said that the letter to Hr Tnmiielift'e had hcen unfortunately worded, and that the impression was not intended to have been conveyed that (he Society would not in future favourably consider a further application by Mr Tunnieliffe for assistance. The case of Mr Harold Smith was a Iso brought before the meeting:, and in (his connection some enlightening details wore given by Mr Hollow as to the system adopted by Patriotic Societies for the interchange of assistance between such societies to discharged members of the Forces who were made mufti allowances or other grants in districts other than that to which they belonged at the time of enlistment.

Considerable time was devoted to criticism of the Executive’s administration by Messrs Howlatt, Hayward, Dawson, Aitcheson, Cl. A. Huntley, T. Mitchell, and others, after which an explanation at considerable length was made by Mr Kellow on behalf of the Society touching these two cases. The speaker contended that the Society was not averse in any way whatever to helping these men to its utmost extent, and was governed in its methods by the universal policy adopted by patriotic societies throughout the Dominion. Had it been made known to the Executive officially that Mr Tunnieliffe was in need of immediate assistance the: matter would have been attended to, No such communication had come under their -notice, and it was unfortunate that the wrong impression had been conveyed in the communication to Mr Tunnieliffe previously. What had been intended to be conveyed in the letter was that, as Mr Tii ’ideliffe had already received £(i by way of assistance no mufti allowance could be granted. The ((uestion of financial aid that might have been subsequently desired was not meant to be included in this communication.

A resolution Avas proposed, “That this meeting pass a vote of no confidence in the Executive of the Patriotic Society.”

. Mr Ghrystall, as chairman of the Patriotic Society, in reply to a speaker objecting lo the Society’s rule'(hat application in writing he made to the Society before a grant was alloAved, staled that as far as he kncAV all the societies in the Dominion Avorked by the same method. He exceedingly regretted the hostile criticism that load been levelled at the Society. Anylunv, be said, criticism was cheap. Anyone could indulge in it, hnl it Avas much more difficult to build than to destroy. He further stated that Mr Tiinnicliffe’s application came before the executive, when it Avas decided “that the matter be left lo Messrs Harvey and Kellow to deal with,” it being understood that if the application was in order it Avas to be paid. The wording of the reply was unfortunate, and wa.- not known to him until then. He assured the meeting that the letter was not intended to convey the meaning that no further aid Avould be given. In support of this, he stated that Mr Kellow had communicated Avilh him, informing him that they had decided not to grant the mufti allowance, but that he thought if Mr Timnicliffe applied for financial assistance it should be favourably considered, in which Mr Ghrystall concurred. He said he was sorry -to see that the Society’s critics had little sense of proportion. He had not heard one good word in favour of the Society at that meeting. They seemed to forget the years of self-sacrificing efforts of the ladies and gentlemen of the Society in the interests of the soldiers and fastened upon one fanciful grievance by which' to judge the Society. Ho said lie personally wished that the Society avus in a position to help the returned pi on more liberally, and urged those

present to take an active part in the good work. A number of questions wore asked members of the Executive in regard to allowances that had bepn made to returned soldiers who had enlisted in other districts, but who now reside in Eoxton, the details of which were explained, and which showed that in each case the action of the Executive had been based on the general principles adopted by the Societies throughout the Dominion in dealing with mufti allowances and other grants, which were in reality paid to returned men through the local Society by the Societies operating in the district in which the soldier resided at the time of his enlistment. The Society, it. was explained, was anxous to do their best for men who had returned after serving their country. If any cases of need were known to (he local public, the Society would lie pleased if such cases were brought under their notice. The Rev. A. Harding informed the meeting that the Government were anxious to assist returned men to lake up trades that would be congenial, and in this direction free instruction would be given in the technical classes conducted by the Wanganui Education Board.

It was further stated that some difficulty was experienced by returned men in obtaining employment suitable for them jn their altered physical strength, and the public were invited to notify the Patriotic Society of any employment offering in the district that may he suitable for these men.

The Rev. Raine made an appeal to the meeting to supplement the efforts of the Executive and aid the Society, instead of indulging in destructive criticism, pointing out (hat the policy of the Society'was to administer its funds with an eye to the future while endeavouring to do justice to present.cases of need. The explanations made by members of the Executive were accepted with a little dissent and further questions, and some facts relatng to the poor attendances at the Society’s annual mootings wore reviewed, which disclosed that these attendances were so small that they practically eonsisited of the members, of the Executive only, and the support that the Society deserved in this direction was not forthcoming. The action of those responsible for convening last night’s meeting was condemned as injurious to the welfare of (lie Society, and a strong appeal was made to bring forward a constructive policy instead of a destructive policy, and for a keener interest to be taken by the general public in the Society’s administration. The resolution of no confidence was considered to be distinctly harmful to the Society’s welfare, and therefore to the welfare of the returned men. The motion was withdrawn, the proposer maintaining 1 that the object of the meeting had been attained.

Mr McMurray, in speaking in support of the work of Hie Executive, moved the following motion: “That the Executive of the Patriotic Society he requested to call a general meeting, and those 1 present undertake to he present, and to he prepared to he appointed to any committee, and to work on same for the benefit of the hoys at the front, and those who have returned.” The motion was seconded hy Mr Hayward, and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks Avas accorded Mr Hannah for presiding. The National Anthem was sung at the conclusion of the meeting.