BATTLE OF THE BULLION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 42, 25 January 1916, Page 8

BATTLE OF THE BULLION.

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE MEETING PUBLIC DISCUSSION PROPOSED. A meeting of the Stratford Patriotic Committee was ueki yesterday, the Mayor (Mr J. W. Boon,) .presiding, and there were present: ruessrs it. Dingle, J. Masters, \V. P. Kirkwood, C. Jackson, G. W. Mills, G. Sangster, J. Shotter, 1). •). Malone, M, Gernhoefer, J. W. McMillan. An apology for absence was received from Adjutant Cook. Mr J. McLeod, who waited on the meeting, set out the present position in regard to the “Battle ol the Bullion.” Of three committees approached two —Waiiara and Patea—had eomo in, and the other—Eltham— had postponed the matter lor a tew days. Mr McLeod also outlined the proposals of the Carnival organisers. It was estimated the Carnival would cost £BOO to run, which would represent 1 1 per cent, of the £50,000 profit aimed at, and if this was done the Taranaki Carnival would be the cheapest managed function in the Dominion. It was necessary to launch the scheme early next week, and consequently it was essential that towns should nominate their armies with as little delay as possible. It was believed that the profits from the functions to be run in New Plymouth would be sufficient to pay for all the district organisation of the Carnival.

Mr W. Lints then explained the plans under which a ‘‘Battle of the Bullion” was carried on. In Wanganui, some £70,000 had been raised, but he considered the possibilities ol Taranaki were greater, for there was a more extensive area to work over and the armies from the different towns would give splendid competition. So far the scheme had gone as smoothly as was possible, and il this continued ho felt confident that Taranaki would eclipse the record of Wanganui. Mr Lints said it. originally proposed to endeavour to raise £50,000, but .the scheme had gone so well that he was going to propose that they should aim at securing the £60,000. When the armies were started everyone would have to belong to the army of his town; no one could avoid it, because “mocks couits would be held in every town, and anyone who did not belong to an • army would be taken before the "moA court,” and fined until he joined. Mr McLeod, in answer to a question, stated that the fee to be paid to the organiser, Mr Lints, would be £2OO. He further stated that the position of himself and Mr Clarke would bo honorary ones, as also would be the case with Mr Mace, the assistant seW'etary. The Fete of Nations, Faddy’s Market, and other attractions wotild be held in New Plymouth. A good deal of expenditure would he required for the Fete of Nations and Paddy’s Market, on which generous expenditure was required to make them at tractive. The towns out of New Plymouth, however," would only be concerned with the expense of running tlie “Battle, of the Bullion.” Mr Kirkwood said if the scheme could be worked ou the percentage one per cent.—the promoter stated, the scheme appeared to him as a good one: but as the public had to fiuci the money it was only fair, that they should have an opportunity of saying “vea” or “nea” to the sfcheme.

, Mr Masters said that he thought it would be wise if the promoters had first ascertained the intentions of the Government in the matter of the treatment of the returned men. He further stated that any of the returned men who had relatives ho could support them, would be required to do so as the Government in these cases; would give nothing. He, therefore, thought that before any further large sums of money were raised a definite assurance should be given by the authorities that the state of things complained of would be rectified. For these reasons he could not support the resolution. Mr C. Jackson thought the committee should give a lead to the public and consent to enter an aimy. The support of the public could then bo obtained. He agreed that the venture was a splendid one. , Mr D. Malone thought Stratford would eventually enter an army, but they had other schemes in hand at present. Mr Lints pointed out that this alone should bring Stratford iu, for if they had schemes now on hand they could put the profits from them towards their army. This would give Stratford a lead and spur the other towns on. Mr Sangster moved and Mr Jacksou seconded: “That the Stratloid Patriotic Committee fall in with the scheme as outlined by the promoters.” Mr Masters moved as an amendment, and Mr Shotter seconded: “That a public meeting be called before deciding the matter.” On the amendment being put to the meeting, the voting was even and the Chairman stated that he would give his casting vote in favor of the amendment.

Mr Malone then declared his intention of moving a further resolution in the direction of it being a recommendation to the public, to - adopt the scheme.

The Chairman then asked leave to withdraw his casting vote, stating that he would take Mr Malone’s resolution as a further amendment. On Mr Malone’s motion being put to the meeting it was carried. Messrs Jackson, Mills and gangster

spoke to, and supported the original resolution. I Mr Shotter questioned as to what j would be done with the money raised. He deprecated a greater allocation of assistance to officers as against the men in Dm ranks. It was resolved to call a public meeting in the Town Hall for 8 o’clock on Friday night.