STRATFORD PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 4, 8 December 1915, Page 2

STRATFORD PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

ELECTION OF ASSOCIATION DELEGATE. TOWN v. COUNTRY DEBATE. OUTSPOKEN CRITICISM. _ THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY'S FUNDS A meeting of representatives of the patriotic committees of the Stratford district to appoint a delegate to the Taranaki Provincial War Belief Association, was held in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, when the Mayor of Stratford (Mr J. \V. Boon), presided over representatives from the following committees: Toko, Messrs Were and Jiocockj Ngaere, Mr Thomas ; Kohuratahi, Messrs White and Height; Midhirst, Mr Shotter; Mafcahu, Mr Coyne; Stratford, Messrs J. Masters, 0. Jackson, 11. Dingle, G. Sangster, G. W. Mills, W. P. Kirkwood, D. J. Malone, T. H. Penn, A. Coleman, Dr. Paget, and J. McMillan, hon. sec.

The Chairman said the meetiug was previously called to elect a delegate to the Taranaki Association. All the other centres were adopting the same principle, as defined by the rules, which were passed at a meeting held in Stratford on November 12. Whoever was elected would ho required to attend to a great deal of business and to devote a considerable, amount- of time to patriotic work.

The following were nominated for the position of delegate:—Messrs W P. Kirkwood, B. Dingle and J. Masters.

Some discussion was held on the method to be adopted in regard to the ballot, and finally it was decided that two papers siiould be used, the first to bear one name, whom it was wished should not be elected. Messrs Kirkwood and Masters proved victorious, and on again going to the poll, Mr Kirkwood was returned by 10 votes to 9,

Mr Kirkwood, in returning thanks, said that he hoped the feeling, town v. country, would come to an end, as he was closely associated with the farmers of the district. He would work in the interest of both. TOWN v. COUNTRY. Mr Thomas said at the first meeting he attended it was remarked that' the farmers were not doing their duty to the country. He went aAvay sorry that he could not do something. At the second meeting he asked that town v. country feeling should bo dropped. He was asked, at that meeting, what was Ngaire Factory doing, and somebody sneered. He had been asked to collect stock and kind for the auction sale to be held under the auspices of the* Stratford Patriotic Committee, and was going to put his whole heart and soul into the work, but he had been told the donations wore too small for the townsfolk, also that the townspeople were exempt from the list. He was also told he was not to approach the "townie," and under these circumstances ho was gojng to withdraw his subscription. He would continue to subscribe to the funds, but not by way of the Stratford Committee's Fund. Mr Thomas handed his subscription list to the secretary. Mr Thomas asked what right the townspeople had to make any distinction in the matter. He. re--1 piled to bis own question: "None i whatever."

The Chairman said they should let the matter drop. The meeting in progress was to try and weld town und country people together, and they should evade all mention of town v. country feeling. The Chairman again rose and asked if it j was thought advisable the discussion should be, reported in the press.

Dr. Paget replied that it was a matter for the public, and they could never do any good by muzzling. On Mr Thomas being asked to explain what he meant by the town v. country feeling, he said he had donated money and eggs, and those present at the meeting and the papermen had sneered at him. A member of the committee had said they were not doing enough, and that the money was blood money. "Could anybody find cleaner money than' that donated by the dairy farmer?" asked Mr Thomas. "It was not money donated by land agents! money lenders 1 "shylocks!"

Mr Jackson: "Is that meant for me?"

Continuing, Mr Thomas said ho was asked what Ngaere was doing, as the speaker was not satisfied. He said the Ngairo Company were donating $ per cent., and beyond that were sending cheese to Belgium. If the export tax was brought in the Ngaire Co. would not donate the amount, about £2OOO yearly, now subscribed. He was practically a poor man, yet he was giving through about fifty channels. Ho asked the press not to make mention of the fact of his subscriptions, as he did not wish to be put before the public. He said at the same meeting Mr Masters had sneered at something he had done or said. Mr Masters said he had not sneered, only the speaker must have thought he did. He told Mr Thomas very plainly that he did not sneer, and if a man was a gentleman he would believe another man. Mr Thomas : You said: "Ah! I heard you with my own ©ars!" Mr Masters: "That is incorrect. I did,not sneer." Mr Masters said he only wanted to let people, know what was given to the funds.

Mr Thomas said that when lie corti>menced canvassing a prominent Stratford resident said tbey were exempted from donating to the fund A voice: "They could only be the words of some irresponsible person." Mr Thomas: "You may knock mo down, hit me\ kick me all you like, when 1 have finished, but it appears that the town has jurisdiction over the country. You never see the names of townspeople on the subscription lists. J. will, still collect if a townsfolk heads the list, but not otherwise.

Dr, Paget: "Mr Thomas, you should not listen to irresponsible peoj.le." Mr Thomas: "No, lam right in my allusions."

Dr. Paget said the feeling was not met with in the town, and it was a great pity that the country people had such ideas. It was deplorable, and it should die out. The committee wished to do its best for the returned men, widows, dependents, or children of soldiers irrespective of whethey they belonged to town or country! The country was contributing by its own methods, and the town was not dictating as to what the farmers should do. Everybody should give money or kind to the patriotic funds. There as no town v. country feeling as far as the town was concerned. The general committee was representative of all classes of the community, and it was working out well. He hoped that Mr Thomas would not do anything to wreck the scheme, but would do all he could for it. There was no feeling between the town and country in patriotic business; all members of the community were doing their best fur it. He asked Mr Thomas to think over the matter calmly.

One representative said that in the Whangamomona district there was no feeling against the townspeople. The people in his district were under the impression that they were all working together, and, in his opinion, it was a p}ty the argument had cropped up.. He said he was satisfied that after hearing what the previous speakers had said, Mr Thomas would think nothing further of the town v. country question. Mr 0. J ackson said he. thought more :of Mr Thomas that day than he did three weeks previously, because Mr Thomas spoke his mind. He was not going to. answer Mr Thomas in a uasty manner—he would not do such ; a thing.' <'He was practically as ■ much , a farmer in one respect as Mr Thomas, for he owned two farms—just as much land, as Mr Thomas, perhaps. *He admired, al man who said [thought.;',Th'e farmers would'have, to, find a great bulk of the money. There were no towns in Taranaki; it was practically a country district. A few thousand' pounds would cover all the wealth of Stratford- < In regard to [what Mr Thomas called "blood money," what he could remember of the question was. that he and a few /farmers were I'fcaf king on the Patea Grange, when pSelof the company said he had made £550 more this year than l last year, and (jokingly said it was d'blood money." This money, was made * 'out of iha war. When at afternoon ■"* .tea she farmer was asked why, he did hot give the money'to oneu of the Hands to help the boys -wha were fights

ing for us, he replied he would <,ive it if the others did, bivE they would not. He was sorry to hear what Mr Thomas had said, and he was sure all present were doing their utmost and best for the boys. He said if any member heard of a returned soldier requiring anything, he should bring the. matter before the committee's meeting, and it would be attended to. Not two hours before he arrived at the meeting lie bad been told of a discharged soldier who could get nothing, and that his brother, who was also a returned man, was keeping him. He asked his informant why he had not brought the matter before the committee's .officials, and he replied it was the Government's duty to attend to them. :

Mr Dingle: "I am thankful I was bumped out. I am as happy as a sandboy." Continuing, the speaker said he was sorry the town v. country question had arisen. He agreed with what Mr Jackson said about the farmers would have to find the bulk of the money required. The farmers were receiving a substantial amount more for their produce, etc., and it would bring thousands of pounds more into Taranaki. The men on the land were receiving 2d a lb extra for their butter-fat. on account of the war. Cheese was commanding an amount equal to 4d per lb more. This would not be so if it were not f° r the war. Mr Thomas: "You have no right to say that." Mr Dingle: "That is my opinion." Mr Thomas: "Then it is wrong." Mr Dingle, continuing, said wool and all products of the sheep farmer were selling at advanced prices on account of the war. The townspeople were no better off, if as well, as they had only a certain spending power, and the townspeople were suffering thereby. He was, speaking as a townsman.

Mr Thomas (laughingly): "Then I am glad you were bumped out." Mr Dingle said the doctors and solicitors we-e .uot mM:"ig extra ptofits out of the war. If it were thought the townspeople were not doing enough, they would do more. If the farmers worked on the right line, they could subscribe thousands—(Hear, hear). Mr Dingle said he thought Mr Thomas, in certain portions of his remarks was referring to the gift auction sale to be conducted by the Associated Auctioneers of Stratford, under the auspices of the Patriotic Committee. The auctioneers were invited to a meeting of the executive, and two delegates were elected to work in conjunction with then .:i receiving entries. The speaker said perhaps Air Thomas thoiMht that the auctioneers weite doing afr'tho work, and were not asking the committee's advice; or, perhaps, Mr Thomas thought the auctioneers were all townies? He was up against the town v. country feeling. Frictions, and pin-pricks should be thrust aside, and they should collect all the money they could and end the war as quickly as posible. Mr Masters said he would not like the meeting to disperse thinking iH of bun Mr Thomas said.he had sneered at him—he # did not. At the meeting men .were appointed to cam'ass; the different districts,; and naturally' enough Canvassers i were allotted for Stratford... Those elected were doing their best, and they wanted:to canvas's iStratijord in a thorough and systematically proper way; '-' .S : ' f 'Mi| Thomas: "Do you know fs 'the townspeople are exempt?" jft.-ieyq Mil Masters said \- it was the hist time [he had heard ' of such-', a thing. He-vfould readily-admit'that if there were no farmers there would be no town. Mr Thomas: "I am glad you admit

Mr Masters said he" was on the side of the hard-working man every; time in such matters,; whether he,=was a farmer or a navvy. His advice was to'leave the town.iv.'-country question out of discussions.- In conclusion,, Mri Mas-' ters, turning to Mr Thomas, said:- "I trust you will: take my. word for it, as my thoughts were fai\ from:it." V . Mr Malone reported that the sale was progressing very well, and the . country people were donating handsomely." He was sure it would: he a monster sale, »and a large . amount would be realised. Mr Coyne said he could not agrea with Mr Thomas. 'His remarks were meant for a small district, namely, Ngaere. •• Mr Thomas: 1 ' 'Stratford! * Stratford!" Mr. Coyne said that without doubt theylVere, doing ; They were doing, all-they'could who. were ;giving ; thehv lives "for.us. . . , ' s 'Mr: Shower said die had heard the (remarks quoted by other speakers in the town,' but he could find no such feeling amongst the country people. The business of the Patriotic Committee should be left in the hands of the townspeople, as they had more time to devote to it. Mr Bocock said afc the previous evening's meeting of the Toko Con:mittec the representatives had been requested to vote for a -town. man because be had plenty of time to devote to such work.

Mr Coleman said he had not heard of the town v. country question until it was .spoken about by Mr Thomas a-. the meeting. They could not expect to receive; much stock from Ngaere, because it had been canvassed by committees from Eltham. It was being doubly canvassed. The farmeis were receiving extra for their butterfat, but if the time came when the money was wanted it would be given. Mr McMillan said be was pleased to know there w as "° town v - country reeling. The majority of the tradespeople" were losing money on account of the war. The Chairman said he would like to see Mr Thomas take back bis list. Mr Thomas asked it they thought be attended the meeting without a grievance; or a grievance without a foundation. He would not deny that

the farmer made extra profits out of the war last year, but personally £3OO would not cover the loss sustained among his cattle herd through drought. "I want no sympathy," remarked Mr Thomas, "and if you townies head the list I will go on with the work." Br. Paget replied that Mr Thomas' remarks were a gross insult to the townspeople, and for his part he would subscribe to no list when the pistol was held to his head. If Mr Thomas, after what he had heard, was not satisfied, he should resign. He would not bribe Mr Thomas to go on With the work. Mr Masters-: "You want Stratford to head your, list before you commence canvassing; we would be better without men like that." Mr Thomas: "I am not going to allow the townspeople to dominate." "A LITTLE WASHING UP." Dr. Paget; Now that we are doing a little washing up, I would like . to ask Mr Sangster if the Scottish Society are holding bade any of tho money collected. Mr Sangster said he believed there was still a sum left. Dr. Paget said that his point was that he had heard that the Society was contemplating the despatch of an unskilled nurse to Egypt. It was a great waste of public money. The lady n-oued was entirely worthy of the position if she had the requisite technical knowledge, which she has not. All such matters should go through the executive of-the Patriotic Committee. An "unskilled person was useless. His information was based on Government authority. The money would be entirely and absolutely wasted. An unskilled person was !absoiutely useless in a hospital, especially a military one. They should agree and try and prevent such an action being taken.

Mr Sangster said the Society had Hot decided to expend the money. Dr. Paget said the Society's funds should be passed over to the Patriotic Committee, and he hoped the matter would not be delayed. Mr Jackson said the reason why the whole amount had not been passed over was because there was still about £SO to come in for cattle. As soon as the list was completed, the money would be handed over to the secretary of the committee.

Mr Masters said nobody had the right to say, after collecting for one fund, he would devote the money for another purpose. If this was done, the money would have to be paid out of that man's pocket.

The chairman asked Mr Sangster to answer the question 'if the Society was sending a woman nurse to Egypt. Mr Sangster: "The Society will do what it likes. lam not going to give away information." Dr. Paget: "You can, of course, do what you like with the funds."

Mr Sangster: "We are not going to touch the money tollected for the boys." Dr Paget said what he wished to emphasise wa s that if money wa s collected- for .a useless or unworthy purpose and thus, wasted, it made it very difficult to collect money for the genuinely good objects, as a man who had seen money that he had given misused was ver-y-lotlf:tO;opeiiihi&-pocket:the-second time. . ' THE F^tis. The representative of . Kohuratahi said they would not know if they were going to vest their money in the Stratford Committee until after the meeting to be held the following day. The Kohuratahi committee were considering _th 6 advisability of managing their own fund. Mr [Kirkwood said Stratford had; been m,ade < the centre of ! Taranaki, and ! a s ! soon, a s n the election off, the committee ,:wa&i. 'completed, ..the ■.secretary ; would • call a meeting, the: business of which .would be vto , elect a chairman. be; well r for the committee holding money; to deposit; same with the ; Stratford 'Committee, and it would be credited to that com-' mittee. • RETURNED- WOUNDED'S NEEDS.

Dr. Paget said several young men who had returned from the front required attention, but ii was hard to get into touch with them. The men themselves do not like to call and explain the position to th« Patriotic Committee's officials, because it looked as: if they; were receiving charity. All present their, shoulders to, help the'returned men. t As a doctor, he knew of men who were in, the towns receiving no attention when they should be at a sanitorium or at Rotorua. He instanced a case of a man who had been back in New Zealand for some considerable time having left only that day to consult a specialist as to his wounds. T3ie man should have received treatment months before. If such cases were brought under bis notice, he would do all he could for the patient.-(Ap-plause.) ' Mr Kiikwood said he would like no misapprehension to go abroad, the committee wished to do all it could for such men. and he hoped they would keep in touch with the officials. Mr Dingle said the returned men were on full pay, a matter of 5s a day, till they were discharged, and in the meantime they could not accept a light position. The employers would bo pleased to assist the men. but under the present -system they were debarred. IN CONCLUSION. A vote of thanks to the chair was carried amidst applause. Thp Chairman moved a vote ol thanks to Mr Fred Foley, of His Majestv's Theatre, and lessee of the .Town Hall, for granting the free use of the hall for the afternoon. Hie 1 vote was carried unanimously.