TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 91, 14 November 1916, Page 3

TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the Taranaki War Belief Association held yesterday morning, there were present—Messrs J. E. Wilson (New Plymouth, chairman), E. Beckbessinger (North Taranaki), T. B. Crump (Eltham), F. Mills (Hawera), T. McPhillips (Manaia), W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford), W. E. Percival (Inglewood). It was resolved that, in view of the present time being inopportune to approach the dairy factory companies with regard to obtaining financial assistance, the matter be deferred. Mr McPhillips enquired if large landowners in Taranaki should not be approached with a view to selling land on reduced terms so that the returned men should go on Taranaki land, which they were accustomed to, and not be sent to other districts Mr Mills expressed the opinion that land should be obtained on reduced terms, A large quantity, say-, 100 acres, would not be necessary, as he thought 20 or 25 acres would probably be sufficient in most eases. Mr Kirkwood said that if a member of the Association officially approached landowners and put the claims of the Association before them he thought perhaps suitable land could be obtained, and then the matter could he submitted to the Government. After discussion, the Chairman arranged to see the Land Board Commissioner (Mr Bullard) and ascertain what land was available.

CASKS OF 'RELIEF DEALT WITH

Cjii the Application of the Stratford yepife&entaiive f Mi' Kirkwood, representation was: made in a case for a 'graiit of 15s <h week until such time as a pension was obtained. This was approved. v - ( Another case under review, ]()s a week was granted, and in a third •ase IDs was granted for a term of two months. Pa tea application. This Association has. re-imhorsed the Wellington Association for the amount expended. An application was presented by Mr Mills (Hawera) fdr assistance ■ on behalf of a man, and was accpyU-j ingly granted. Mr Crump, on behalf of the Eltham Committee, reported on a returned soldier now living at Ngaere; who was permanently injured and was receiving from his committee a pension. It was resolved that the action of the Eltham Committee he confirmed, and that tjhe pension be continued. Mr • Kirjjlwood { drew attention to the claims of .tbp Wounded Soldiei s . Fund, and stating that other Patriotic Fund's should not be overshadowed by the o 'hSoldiers’ Wounded Fund. This fund was already being largely drawn on, and any financial assistance given would be not only appreciated bi\t well used. Mr Kirkwood mentioned that he thought enquiries should be made whilst a soldier was in camp to see that the dependents of those left behind were' provided for, as there were cases where those left behind were not properly provided for. The meeting agreed to adopt some means of ascertaining the exact position of tko-'e left, as the Association was in existence to watch over the 'interests of soldier’s dependents when in camp cr otherwise.