WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 15, 16 August 1916, Page 2

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Taranaki Provincial War Relief Association was held this morning, when there were present: Messrs J. E, Wilson (chairman, New Plymouth), E. Beckbessenger (North Taranaki), R. C. Dunn (Farmer’s Union), J. W. Winfield tlnglewood), W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford), E. F .Hemingway (Pateaj, T. B. Crump (Eltham), Rev. R. B. Tinsley (Opunake), and J. McMillan (lion, secretary, Stratford). Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Chairman briefly introduced the new permanent secretary, Mr W. Power, and said that he had I been appointed to the position since last meeting. In answer to a question, the Minister of Defence had replied that men who enlisted as single men and married' prior to sailing with the forces, were j treated as married men- by the De- I partment. | In connection with the donations from Dairy Companies, Mr Kirkwood said the members of the Stratfork Patriotic Committee intended to wait

on the Stratford and Midhirst Companies at an early date. | Mr Beckbessenger reported that a irumour was current in Waitara and 'Stratford that he had withheld money 'from a certain returned soldier. The sum of £5 had been sent by a firm at Awakino to pay the board of a certain 'soldier. The money was given for a specific purpose, and it could not be used otherwise. The man waited on I him, and asked him for £1 so that ho j could travel to Stratford and pay a small account. He suggested that the laccount could lie remitted by post, 'but the man refused. The rumours [were circulated in consequence. The man had been in' the Boer war, and had received a wound in the head. He was now in the New Plymouth Hospital. ' Mr Kirkwood, in moving that Mr Beckbessenger’s action be confirmed, saui the man had waited on him and it appeared that ho wanted to live on the funds. The Chairman seconded the motion, which was carried. In regard to .Mr Nolan’s application foi a grant towards the War Contingent’s Association for the upkeep of i Hostels in England, the Chairman re- 1

ported that the Advisory Board had decided to grant £IBOO per month for comforts for soldiers, so that Mr Nolan’s application would be included in that amount. The Advisory Board also decided to ask the Contingent Association for particulars as to the expenditure of the money. = A vote of thanks was passed to the Farmers’ Union for the donation of 'about £6O, contributed by the members. in reply, Mr Dunn thanked the meeting, and said that the sum had been subscribed by the members and not by the public. The Chairman reported on the proceedings of the recent meeting of the • Advisory Board held in Wellington. The Chairman stated that there was - about £20,000, to the credit of the 1 Wounded Soldiers’ Fund, either uniii- ■ vested or on deposit in the Post Office , Savings Bank. The amount included r the £7OO in hand by the Hawera Soc--jiety. -j Mr Kirkwood suggested that as , much of the money as possible should ■ |bo made interest bearing. If they ■ could not get investments, the money • 'could be deposited in the bank for six months. i| Mr Beckbesseuger said they could -, safely put £IO.OOO in the bank for i itwenty-four months at 4 per cent. I The Chairman said they could depo- ■ sit £20,000 in the bank for the same period. There was another £20,000 ■maturing from amounts on fixed dem posits. The question was whether it ' was advisable to invest money on mortgages for live years. The Chairman reported that the j Post Office accepted moneys on behalf of patriotic funds at the rate of 4 per cent for a period of Jive years, and if any amount was withdrawn, 3 per cent, would bo allowed. 1 Mr Kirkwood said that that was very satisfactory, as it practically meant 3 per cent at call. 1 Mr Crump thought that fuller particulars should be obtained before money was invested, and that a sub committee, consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Crump and Kirkwood, mould he appointed to obtain particulars and jreport. The resolution in that coimecItion was carried. j Mr 'Hemmingway, in supporting the motion, said he would like to see the I mb committee appointed also appointed a finance committee to report at each meeting the amount available for investment and the best means of investment. Mr Hemmingway moved accordingly, ami the resolution was carried, 1 1 The Chairman said that at a meeting ! held at Okato. Mr Andrews was reported to have said that he thought they had done their share towards the ceu- f tral hind, and no one would object to I lit' line they were taking. Ho had seme doubt as to the result of the one 1 big fund—there would probably ho a 1 big row in tne. end, and many deserving cases would be overlooked. He * knew personally of several deserving a

cases that had been deliberately ig~ nored and turned down. The Government did their best to drive the men an ay, and he knew of one deserving ease that had applied to the Taranaki Committee and had been loaned £2! He thought the man .should be given “a fiver:’’ dpi • - ;* The Chairman said that if the cases did not come before the local committees or the Association, it was purely the fault of those interested. They I were always looking for cases deserving of relief, or any case so that ift could be investigated. He had at least £5 worth of receipts for accounts which he had paid on behalf of tho men mentioned by Mr Andrews. Tho man was loaned £2 and had been appointed to a good position in New Plymouth. The man had interviewed him and borrowed £3, prior to receiving his first amount from his employer, in conclusion, the Chairman said that that sort of thing created a bad impression, and he wanted to give pub* licity to a denial. Mr Kirkwood said there were too many irresponsible statements made by people outside the societies. Certain statements when investigated were found to be quite wrong. Tho administration of the fund was a very responsible duty. From time to time, the Stratford Committee had published notices asking that cases of a deserving nature be brought under no-

Mr Crump said that statements had been made by quite responsible people iliat a certain family in Eltbam was starving. A sub committee was set up to watch the case, and there was no truth in the statements. Such matters were assumed simply because the case was not given publicity in the press. The Chairman said they could not make plfblic such cases. He did not mind criticism, but it was always in the power of those making the criticism to enquire into the facts before making the statements. The Chairman said the Soldiers’ Club would be opened in New Plymouth to-morrow, and quite a large number of visitors had promised to attend, A number of those present signified their intention of being present. Mr Hemmingway moved: “That this meeting desires to place on record the appreciation of Mr McMillan’s services as honorary secretary.—Carried, Mr McMillan briefly replied. The secretary was authorised to have a telephone installed in the As* sociation’s office. The action of the Chairman aar'- Mr McMillan in appointing Mr Power as secretary, was confirmed. Mr Power thanked the members of the Executive for appointing him secretary and confirming the appointment. After the accounts had been authorised for payment, the meeting adjourned.