WAR FUND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 62, 12 November 1915, Page 5

WAR FUND.

CONFERENCE, a 1 —r ~’ conference of delegates -of the Patriotic < and. bodies °f Taranaki was.jljeld in the /Jowii, Hall, Stratford, to-day. About 20 members were in attendance and keen interest was taken in all matters. jMri J. E. Wilson, Chairman of the New Plymouth Committee, was elected to the chair. The Chairman stated that Mr -McLaren, of Wellington, had been invited to attend as he could oiler suggestions regarding the draft rules of the Wellington centre which were ,to. be discussed. -With regard to tb£ present conference, it had been proposed to call it earlier but the scheme of a National Fund was under review in New Zealancj andjjjefforts were being made by Mr Skerrett to get the various provinces to adopt the scheme. Hoover, the National 1’ und scheme had\idropped and immediate action jwas necessary. A provincial body should: he formed retaining the right to amalgamate with other bodies and form a National Fund for New Zealand. Wellington had formed a scheme on rules drawn up by Mr L. Tripp. These rules were to be discussed at the present meeting. He moved: “That an Association be formed, to be called the ‘Taranaki Provincial District Fund,’ such association to consist of representatives of local leagues mid committees to raise and administer relief, funds within the Provincial District Committees. Mr Dixon (Hawera) seconded the motion. Several delegates stressed the desirability of retaining the right to amalgamate in a National I* und. Mr Horner (Patea) supported -the motion and was strongly of opinion that the matter should be settled at this meeting. Mr Kirkwood (Stratford) urged that the matter be finished with at once as large sums of money were in hail and a definite administration nas necessary. There seemed to be little difference of opinion on the matter and the motion was carried unanimously. The question of the executive was widely discussed and it was Imally resolved that the executive consist of ten members from the District, Now Plymouth, Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford, Elthara, Hawera, _ Patea, Manaia, and the Farmers' Luion to 1 )0 the centres of the districts and sub-commitees who would associate and nominate their representative on the executive. Five members are to form a quorum. Every year i'< members will retire by rotation and Ihe eligible for re-election.