WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 45, 28 January 1916, Page 6

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION

TO-DAY'S MEETINC.

A meeting of the War Relief Association was held in Stratford to-day, when .there were present:— Mr J. E. Wilson (New Plymouth), in I \the chair, and;Messrs.W. E. Percival (Inglewood), E. Beckbessinger (North Taranakij; L. A. Bone (Hawera), .%. i McPhillips (Manaia), C, S. Fleming ' (Patea) AV. P. Kirkwood. (Stratford), C. A. Wilkinson (Eltliam), R. Dunn, (Fanners' Union). A letter was received from the Under Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, stating that the forthcoming conference of Patriotic Societies' adi ministering war. funds was. desirable, chiefly for the purposes of taking steps to prevent overlapping and to provide for intercommunication between societies and to prevent, exploitation of patriotic funds. , : The conference had been convened, for-I.Q a.m. on Thursday, 17th February, 1916, at Welling- . ton. The following list of subjects for consideration was enclosed: (1) Defining the area within which each society fjhall operate; .(2) Organisation and membership of the societies; (3) objects of the societies ; ;4). uniform scale '., of benefits, subject'to necessary limitations; (5) treatment of the discharged soldier as regard fa) health; (b) board; (c) monetary assistance . for clothing railway, coach and steamer fares, etc.; (d/employment; «e) such other matters 'as may be considered advisable; (f) assistance to widows and children, pa-rents, dependents; (6) establishment of .'homes, clubs, 'i etc., for discharged soldiers; (7) visitation of men ,>..>ospitals, and supervision of those who are out patients. The Chairman; said -now that they had a Central Committee he thought it advisable not. for delegates, to be appointed by-individual societies, but/ by the Association.. "Mr Kirkwood said he" thought they would! get no further forward at the conference than they had at the last, Mr Fleming said they should discuss the matter of a conference fully. He ' did not know iiUh?**J ™ ister m ( ' lui !' ge of the Department ■ was representing the Government;.. He thought that the Government was..holding"back, pending what the Association was doing. He instanced a wa&in which they could supplement the.:pensions of the government. A man who may have lost a leg would return to New Zealand That man could not do hard work, and the pension allowed by the Government would onlflceep him from starvation. The maVmay be able to coni duct a small business and he thought it would be a good idea to advance ban say £2OO ,to commence business. tie cQuld not see how':they could set down a uniform scale., of pensions. He thought that the/delegates should ascertain from the Minister at the Conference exactly.what. M Government intended to do for returned men. YM Association should be represented at the" Conference and get a definite understanding with the Minister. As the P Minister asked the different societies to send in their suggestions, it seemed to him that he was getting their case before they arrived. Mr "Wilkinson- said the Government was in utter sympathy with the returned men andVtheir dependants. He was sure that it was not the intention of the Minister to throw the burden of the pensions on to the Association. He could not see how the Government could make a straight out I pension. The recipients' circumstances I had to be considered. The Chairman said the Minister had,, antagonised the'patriotic societies to, a certain extent/by dictating terms to the associaions. I Mr Kirkwood moved: That the Chairman (Mr Wilson) be appointed, delegate to the : Conference called bythe Minister ofslnternal Affairs; and in the event of the chairman not being able to go, he ..be, authorised to • nominate'-ariottieis member of the executive.—Seconded- b> Mr Wilkinson and carried. ,',.';.' ' In moving the.motion, Mr Kirkwood said it would be sufficient if the chairman of the Association Avas to represent Taranaki. A letter was received from the Dis-

charged Soldiers' Information Department enclosing a list of names of men who have returned by troopships and who want employment.—lt was decided to ask the Minister to notify the callings of the men requiring employment^ A letter was received from tli<> Y.M.C.A.. Wellington, stating that it would be pleased to administer fund:; for special purposes in Egypt and elsvwhere. —The letter was received, cojfc sideration being deferred

The question of boundaries or' the different! committees was discussed, and Mr Kirkwood said that it was an important matter and should not be rushed through : but it should be settled as soon as possible. The opinion was expressed that the County boundaries would be very suitable.—Mr McPhillips moved:' That Pibania and Auroa Societies be written to. and asked it' they are willing to join the Association, and if the question of boundaries is any trouble, and suggesting that the County boundaries in South Taranaki lend tt*mse'.ve« admirably to the suggestion.—Seconded oy Mr Bone and carried. Mr Dunn said the position slioulJ be made public that returned u-oii who require relief should appiy to the Patriotic Committee in the district in which they reside.

Mr Kirkwood said the Association was now well under weigh as u working organisation, and that every effort was being made to undertake the work for which the AssociaMAn was .formed. . Mr Kirkwood said if the Association was incorporated within the next fortnight a meeting should he called immediately; * Mr Dunn moved that the date of the next meeting be left in the hands oi the chairman.—Carried. Mr Wilkinson reported that the Htham Committee had £3523 12s 4d m hand and out on deposit."