WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 78, 5 July 1916, Page 6

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The Taranaki Provincial War Reliei Association met in the Patriotic rooms, Borough Council building, this morning when the following members were present:—Messrs Wilson (New Plymouth) chairman, Dunn (Farmers' Union), Fleming (Patea), Beckbessenger (North Taranaki), Kirkwooc .(Stratford), Crump (Eltham), Percival (Jnglewood), Rev. -Tinsley. (Opunake). An apology ( for absence was received from the-Hon. Secretary (Mr J. W. McMillan). T. C. Fookes wrote stating that he was in receipt of the Association's letter intimating that he was appointed hon. solicitor to the Association, and he had very much pleasure in accepting the appointment. He also expressed his thanks for the appointment.— Received.

- W. F. Massey, Minister of Lands, wrote acknowledging the Association's letter, forwarding a.resolution passed recommending that dairying land should be acquired between Wanganui and New Plymouth for returned soldiers, and stating that the suggestions were receiving consideration with similar resolutions on the subject. The Land Purchase Board is looking out for suitable blocks, and should the Association know of any suitable land likely to be available, he would be pleased if particulars would be for-

warded to the Land Purchase Board, Wellington, as it would, assist the .Bawd imw» materially,, decidld Jo iMteVcyhe ' Farmers* Union, asking dfc t pbring under the noticJßof the Asalso resolved to forward,,the resolution to the North Taranaki Patriotic Society. . , i .... :i , i . 1 - ; , ; . ( ~,;..;,.. r ". C. A. WilkinsbV "wrote "stating that he was in receipt of the Association's letter in which it was stated that the Association would assist the Government and men in connection with a £mall settlement- scheme on the lanu between Wanganui and New Plymouth. He had communicated the Association's views to f the Government, and strjisfoed * that be taken in the direction of haying closer settlement brought about on the lands referred to,, which.were, in; every way fqr dairying, "and.whjeh would a regular; incpin.e ; i from the ifif of tjhe pccqgajicytfc' returned,T^}dier^. occupyingusame. :He had I bjonglvfr |fche; matter bejßore Parliament fitjw 1? rey iQ us * v >- and; strongly ur- - send men to far back-block districts to settle on rough bush land. In conclusion, the writer stated he Would be pleased to assist the Association at any time opportunity offered. —Received. The Chief Secretary, Salvation ' Army, Wellington, wrote stating that as the members were undoubtedly aware the Salvation Army* f wis doing something extra in the way of orphanages, giving preference to the children of fallen soldiers. The following new. homes have been opened for the purpose: Grange," Auckland, for girls, accommodating at least 40; a Home at Russell for boys, accommoda- 1 ting 20; a Home at'Temuka, for about 40 to 50 boys. The object in apprising the Association of the intentions was to give the committee the opportunity of making recommendations for reeeiving v children into the hqmes.Term^; Children of fallen" soldiers,' fullainpuht allowed by Pensions. Board; children of soldiers at front, 'the authorities, think it would bis possible for;,'-the mothers to.pay a minimum amount of 7s 6d per week; children of widowers desiring to enlist, 7s 6d per week. For these amounts, the Army undertakes to house, feed, clothe and educate the children.—lt was decided to write to the Chief Secretary acknowledging receipt of the letter,' and thanking him for the information. I

J. R. Samson, officer in charge, Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, Wellington, wrote stating that the Department had approached the Board of governors of the Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, which had kindly agreed to give scientific instruction in agriculture to discharged soldiers on special terms. The usual fee for resident students of the first and second year is £l3 6s 8d per term (£4O per annum), and for students of the third year £6 13s 4d (£2O per annum), payable in advance. The Board has, however, agreed to offer to discharged soldiers five scholarships of £2O each to go towards the reduction of the fees mentioned, ana has also agreed to take non-resident students at the nominal fee of £5 per annum, the maximum capacity -of the College to be the limiting number.

' The scholarships, entrance to College, etc., would be subject to certain conditions. In conclusion, the wntei stated that he would be obliged if the Association would communicate if it came across any soldiers desirous of, and in the opinion of the Association, j suitable for, a course of instruction in scientific agriculture afforded by the | College.—lt was decided on the Chairl man's motion, that the Association 3 would be pleased to nominate any 5 suitable soldier who came before the • Association. The Hon. Secretary, Advisory Board, Wellington, wrote": That in accordance . with a resolution passed at the last meeting of the Board, he was for* warding a memorandum of the posK tion of Taranaki's quota towards the contribution of £3OOO per month, which was being transmitted to London for the benefit of New Zealand soldiers. It is expected that information will be available within the next few days, showing the manner in which the money is being used at Home. Since the New Zealand forces have been engaged in France there has been an ever increasing necessity to have money available in England, to provide for the comforts of the wounded thus requiring assistance. The memorandum stated that Taranaki's contribution amounted to £155 per month, and the amount due to be paid by the Association amounted to £3lO. —Received. v The Hon. Secretary, Eltham Patrio-

tic Committee, wrote stating that it had received the consent of the Governor to transfer its Wounded Soldiers' Fund to the Taranaki War Relief Association. At a recent meeting it was resolved that the sum of £650, part of the money in hand, be paid over to the Association.—Received. An extract of the New Zealand Gazette of June 15, was received, stating that the Governor's consent had been received for the transfer of the Patea and District's Patriotic League's Funds to the Taranaki War Relief Association.—Received. GENERAL. A young man to whom the Association granted £25 to pay his expenses to the Old Country, where his parents reside, was granted an extra £5. The staged that the man had a weak heart, and his. lungs were also defective. The Chairman said that it., would be rather difficult 'to.. ■ ascertain ' the "'for!'.' the'" 'Sailore' Fuiid"m^Taranaki' r ' , ,He suggested thai- 'the' mat'terlWhoufd be left, to 'the Societies.;yW Fleming said that the amount collected in ( Patea and district, about £4QQ,. was being remitted through the local branch of the Navy League. Amounts had been remitted through the League from time to time, and though the League wished the amount to go through them, they had no serious objection to the money being handled by the Association. j ■A relurne'd, trooper waited on,,the meeting and asked for assistance in the part purchase of a bakery business. He and 'his partner had both put; £l'2o each'into mS. business! They' did jißb' 'haye"|to '' p'ui'chase "the /goodwill,, the' Hv'as'tb pur-' chase 0 Bt66k'/ I c r 4i'ts 1 arid horses'. He thohghi ,l 'alibut 1r '£so' would be 'enough to loan'fat 1 'presejifcV His" partner "would find alike 1 l(- am6nritl—-Chairhiari' moved that the. appTicatibh f for assistance be referred to the Stratford Coriirinitee to report, seconded by the Rev. Tinsley, and carried. An application for assistance fiom a young man receiving a nilita.y pension of £1 12s 6d weekly, was held over till next meeting. In a letter the writer stated that he was applying for a position in the Defence Dement and only required kssteta ice while out of employment. Mr Beckbesseriger moved hat the Patriotic Committees be written to asking them to forward all money for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund being held uninvested and particulars of moneys invested, with the expection of the £SO being held in hand on be-, half of the Association.—Carried. j Mr J. Wilßori was elected delegate to the forthcoming conference of the Federated Societies with instructions that he was appointed Taranaki's delegate on the Advisory Board. The members' expenses as scheduled were passed for payment.