WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 59, 14 June 1916, Page 6

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

MEETING AT STRATFORD. The fortnightly meeting of the Taranaki Provincial War Relief Associaton was held to-day, when there were present: Messrs Wilson (New Plymouth) chairman, Kirkwood- (Stratford 1 ), McFhillips, Beckbessinger (Waitara), Wingfield. Crump (Eltham), Fleming (Patea), anu McMillan (hon. sec.) Apologies were received for the unavoidable attendance of Messrs R. G. Dunn, and W. E. Percival (inglewood). Applications for assistance from three returned and discharged soldiers to take up land for farming were considered. In two of the cases it was decided to advance £3OO on security for a specified terra, subject to "necessary conditions being observed. The third application was refused, the executive being .of opinion that the case was not one of necessity, and that, the granting of the request would not be in the besV interests! of the applicant. Applications were considered from two discharged soldiers for passage money and assistance to return to England. In one instance, where the applicant was totally unfitted on account of ill-health to,, undertake any employment, it was decided to give the necessary help, not to exceed £25. In the other case, as the applicant was not physically incapacitated, assistance was not, granted, as the case was not one of necessity, and the executive considered that the better way would be to secure employment for the applicant in the Dominion. The secretary read reports of funds in hands of the various centres as follows :—lnglewood : £349, Opunake £1236, North Taranaki £3300, Eltham £3718, Stratford £5330, Patea £2609, New Plymouth £7OOO, Hawera £6000; grand total of about £32,000, counting a further.£2ooo in sight for Stratford. Referring- td l the' suggested special: day to.be devoted to street canvassing and collecting in aid "of dependents of sailors los£ ; In the recent naval battle, the Chairman suggested that the 2 it'll, oi'the month be. the day set apart for the Taranaki district.—lt was pointed out by some members that arrangements had already been made for the collection to be.held on the 17th, and after discussion the matter of the date was left' to the various centres to determine.—lt was resolved that the committees be invited to send all collections thypugii the executive.^ The question of boundaries in Taumarunui. Chura, and outlying districts .cocasioned some discussion, and the .Chairman undertook to communicate with Auckland'and ascertain the limits of the; legalities in question' and to report at the next meeting of the executive. : '

On the motion of Mr Fleming, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved to appoint Mr T. C. Fookes, Stratford, solicitor to the Association, subject 'to his accepting the appointment. In reply to the Hawke's Bay War Relief Association's letter of 29th May re assisting discharged soldiers on to the land, it was decided to recommend the Advisory Board to apply to the. Government as to what assistance the Government proposes to give returned soldiers in this direction, as definite information on the point is not nonavailable.

A letter from the West Coast Patriotic Association referring to the necessity of adjusting an equitable scale of travelling expenses for delegates was endorsed by the meeting. .' The West Const Association also notified that Mr Grimmond. Mayor of lloss, ha'd been elected delegate tor the West Coast. ft was decided that applications be invited for the position of secretary to .the Executive Board at a salary of £2OO a year. A letter' was received froth the secretary of the Hawera Winter Show, in reply to an application for portnissipn 'for space oh the show grounds to display the motor car presented by Mr Newton King to the Patriotic Society, and which is being disposed of by brt union. The reply stated there was no available space 'for the car, and in any case, the Show Committee had had to veto canvassing inside the show buildings, as they had received so many applications for .permission 10 solicit contributions that the executive had been obliged to decline. —'ihe letter was reeeived. After further discussion on matters of minor the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.