HOROWHENUA COUNTY PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

Otaki Mail, 7 February 1919, Page 2

HOROWHENUA COUNTY PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the llorowhentia County Patriotic Association was held at Levin on Wednesday afternoon last, when there were present: Messrs C. Bleukhorn (chairman), P. W. Goldsmith, C. S. Keedwcll (Levin), F. P. Walkley (secretary), Mrs Gibson, Messrs Hennessy, W. Murdoch (Shannon). J. H. Richards (Ihalcara), J. H. Andrew (Manakaii), L. St. George and Frank Fenu (Otaki), C. Catley (To Horo), and W. ,T. Howell (Puraparaumu). Apologies were received for the absence of Rev. Petrie and Messrs Tntton Prascr, S. A. Broadbeld, R, Maclean, and Eli Alien. The Chairman extended a cordial welcome to Mr W. Murdoch (Mayor of Shannon), who took a seat for the first time, he being appointed to represent Shannon in placa of Mr C. X. Stephenson, who had resigned, he having left the district. Air Murdoch, in aeknowleding the welcome received, said he fully realised the excellent work done in patriotic matters by Mr Stephenson, and, while he might not be able to do so well as Mr Stephenson, he would be pleased to do his best for the good work.

Correspondence. From the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, giving interesting particulars of the work done by the Depart ment. Xo less than 20,824 cases had been dealt with, 2095 cases worn still under Consideration, and ,'!7-lii worn awaiting consideration. A soldier to whom the Association had granted a loan of £10(1 wrote heartily thanking them for what they had done for him.

A letter was read from J. S. Smith, Paekakariki, enclosing cheque for £2 lis' (id, collected by the Paekakariki school children (under Mr Cooper'* supervision) by sale of flags, etc.— Received with thanks. Several letters were read in connection with an application for relief for an Otaki couple—-parents of a soldier. The meeting resolved, after hearing the details, to take no action.

A returned soldier wrote, asking tka Association to reconsider his application for a loan, as he was tillable to secure the guarantors asked for. — After discussion it was decided to advance the soldier a sum of.£2."i, on the security of his milk supply.

A letter was received from the Wellington War Relief Association, asking r for particulars re an application for "-m assistance by a district soldier. —The 8 secretary reported that he bad «| enquiries and had recommended that' I no assistance be granted. His action I was approved by the meeting. How Best to Assist. Correspondence was received from the Cambridge District. War Relief Association, stating that tliey had made an advance to a returned soldier who hail enlisted from Levin, and rccom- | mending the case for favourable treat- j ment by the Horowhcmia Association. Mr Kcedwell thought this was a cast that they should assist—it was just the | sort of case for which their funds had | been collected. He moved that the re- | quest be granted. This man had had very lengthy service, and, though not § absolutely incapacitated, could cam very little, and they should do all they i could for such a man. He moved that 1 they grant the man £1 per week for six months, after which the case could b« reviewed. . 1

Mr St. George seconded the motion, and supported Mr Keedwell's remarks. Mr Murdoch said that, while he was not against the vote, he thought it would be better to act differently. If this man were not receiving sufficient pension from the Government (he was getting £0 10s per month), the Association should endeavour to have the amount increased —it was the Government's duty to see that the man had sufficient to live on. His opinion was

that the Association would do better to assist returned men to earn their own living—to help put them on their feet a'gain—rather than give them. money, which might not always be spent wisely.

Mr Howell said some men were born for working men, and would never be otherwise, no matter how one might try to assist them. These men would never attempt to better their condition, but that was no reason why they should not be helped if they were need-

ing assistance. The Chairman said n.; agreed with Mr Murdoch in the main, and said he would make a grant of, say, £SO to put a returned man in the way of earning hi» own living, in pre/ereo«c to assisting him for a tew months at so much a week. He urged that this was an important matter, and they should consider the best way of helping the returned soldier*— not the easiest. After some further discussion, Mr Catley moved as an amendment, "That the man be granted £1 per week for three mouths, after which the ease would be reviewed, the Association to refund the £5 advanced "by the Cambridge Association." A <saggo:ted amendment by the chairman, to the effect: that the wjldier |c question be granted £<o to assist him to start in business for himself, failed to get a seconder. Mr Catley's amendment was carried.

j -" Eed Cross Shops,: IX letter was received from the geeretary of the Levin Red Cro** eotsesy, , enclosing cheque for £29 12* ±4, being I proceeds of two j.liop dars held at ! Levin. Mr Keedwcll explained that the L«Tin Red Cross ladle* ict-ended to devote their.energies to aAfissicg ihv Coanty Patriotic. Fujsu, which wasj is their:trjyjiicri), the raost deserving object j*j- j ;t 210 w. ■

Mr St. George Mated that Mr El-'i-.siburg had Informed bira that the Gov? jeraaejit wosdd in all probability. -casta all special, isoaey-xaiiisg eSorgi fesr

Red Cross to cease, as there would not be much need for .same in the-future. The meeting" expressed gratification at the promise of assistance from the Levin ladies. Treasurer's Statement. Mr Pike (treasurer) presented a statement, showing the receipts since last meeting to bo £2 Us Gd from Paekakariki, and £.13 15s interest from j Public Trustee. There was a balance j of £2-18 Is lid in the bank, in addition j to money invested in various ways. Restriction of Loans. Mr St. George moved the following motion, duo notice of which had been given previously: —That in respect to loans to soldiers, the resolution fixing the limit of £l5O, passed at the mooting on March 6th, IOIS/bc rescinded, and that the limit of any loan to returned soldiers be fixed at £IOO. The mover stated that Associations with a capital many times as large as the local fund had fixed the limit of loans at £IOO, and therefore he thought they should do the same, seeing that their funds were so limited. Mr Pcnn seconded the motion. Mr Howell opposed tho motion, saying that they were not obliged to loan up to the £l5O, and it might entail hardship to have the lower limit. The motion was lost. "•'- - Notice of Motion. Mr Catley gave noli.:! thnt he would i move at next meeting to the effect that : in future all loans advanced to soldiers i be free of interest. Raising Funds. I Mr W.- J. Howell thought some effort should bo made to raise funds, and suggested that stock sales be held in various centres, as had been done previously. Farmers would soon be making their annual drafts, and culling out, and this would be an opportune time, . he thought, for some such effort. An informal discussion followed, but no action was taken. Some members thought it would be difficult to enlist , public sympathy at present for any * special effort.