PATRIOTIC SOCIAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 14 September 1915, Page 4

PATRIOTIC SOCIAL.

A HUGE GATHERING. THE PREMIER'S address. A DEPUTATION. The social at the Town Hall last night, desuite • the very short notice, was remarkably well attended, people being present from a 111 x>arts of the district. The gallery was packed with onlookers and the floor was rather crowded withbappy-faced couples who moved to the music provided by the Taihape Brass Band. About a quarter to nine o’clock the Hon. Mr. Massey’s appearance was the signal for an outburst of applause. The Premier watched one or two dances, and he was then introduced to the immense audience by the Mayor, Mr. A. iL. Arrowsmith, who congratulated Mr. ;Massey on his presence amongst them. He would see that Taihape district was not far behind other districts in its patriotism. They wore present to help forward a cause which all had deeply at heart, and it was pleasing to know that everyone wQuld have an opportunity of doing something as there were a number of very valuable articles to be auctioned. In the presence of such heavy artillery smaller guns had to give way and he had the greatest pleasure in calling upon Mr. Massey to address them. (Cheers). Mr Massey was accorded considerable applause on rising. He referred to the generous giving of the people of the Dominion for patriotic purposes and it had been said that there would be a falling off in giving for these' particular purposes, but by what he had seen that day what had been said to him was incorrect. He believed the people would go on giving in proportion to their ability. This country had done its share and would continue to do so both in men and money. Within a fortnight of the declaration of war New Zealand troops were afloat. This Dominion was the first British dependency to . offer troops, the. first lo get them away and the first to take possession of the enemy's . territory. This would go down in history to the Dominion’s credit. Those men who left N.Z. in the early stages of the war took serious risks, for there were far greater risks . while German warships were about the Pacific than now. Twenty - two thousand troops had already been sent to the front; there were eight thousand now in training ready for going, and as they left others would go into camp. The Empire needed men and they needed every man to say, "Here I'am, send me.” At present there were no signs of the war coming to an end; they were still a long way from Tipperary; a lot of water , would go under the bridge between now and the end of the war, but we had to go on giving both men and money. They had sacrificed a lot for upholding the Empire, but the' sacrifice of blood and treasure, appalling as it was, was not too great a sacrifice to make for such, an Empire. Tile general effect on the Empire of this war had been marvellous. Our enemies said our Empire was going to fall to pieces, troubles of various kinds were predicted, but it was more closely knitted now than ever before. We all belonged to one Empire and no injury could be done to one part without the whole being affected. Terrible as the war had been, it was the best thing for establishing a brotherhood of Empire that .had ever happened. New Zealand was a pillar of the Empire, as other Dominions were, and the house would stand together, its pillars would not fall. The Premier resumed his seat amidst great applause.

Mr. D. J. McLennan then auctioned , a number of useful and pretty articles, and from the prices secured for the first dozen or so the sale must have . realised a rather extraordinary amount. The auctioneer showed wonderful prescience, for he had pretty big bids before people had time to see what was being offered. The Mayor was astonished to learn that he was the buyer of a Jhdy’s blouse at half-a-guiuea. Everybody enjoyed the fun and the blouse ymnt back to find another‘purchaser in a similar way. A DEPUTATION. While the auctioning was proceeding, there had come together, at the back of the stage, a large gathering of •ladies with a good sprinkling of gen-, tlemcn. A messenger informed the Premier that a deputation wished to interview him on the subject of art unions or raffles. The Mayor wasasked by the ladies to act as their spokesman, and he briefly outlined the deputation’s ease .He said these art unions or raffles had been generally used throughout the Dominion for raising money for the brave fellows that had been eulogised by the Premier that evening. Other, parts had raised, money by this method and they wanted permission to do similarly throughout the Taihape Carnival. One of the principal means, of raising money fit Carnivals throughout the Dominion was raffles add the deputation wished, the Taihape Carnival to be placed on a si mi Mr footing to Carnivals. . in other places. He believed this vra3-a

question that should receive the favourable consideration of the Government.

Mr. E. W. Smith, M.P., supplemented Mr. Arrowsmith’s remarks by saying that there were not ten people in that immense gathering that were opposed to holding patriotic raffles., He asked for the Premier’s support; they did not mind such raffles being carried out solely by patriotic societies and for the one particular purpose. Hundreds and thousands of pounds had been collected that way and who would say that any harm had been done? It was purely in the interests of the brave fellows at the front, and those dependent on them at home that permission to raffle was being sought. In givng permission to raffle works of art The Premer: You can raffle everything in that box that is being auctioned on the platform. j

Mr. Smith: Yes, we can raffle such articles, and is it not unreasonable that we are allowed to raffle those things and not to raffle a motor-car or a sheep? Mr. A. James pointed out that to stop patriotic raffles now amounted to a disability. He drew attention to the fact that representation on the Central Executive w r as in proportion to the amount of money contributed, and to stop the means of raising money now that had been allowed to other districts was a distinct injury, as it would seriousJy affect their representation on the central controlling body.

The Premier said he was in a difficult position, as they were asking from him what he did not possess. Certain articles could be disposed of by the methods asked for but all others wore -outside the law. The Government cannot alter the law'.

Mr. Smith; Give Parliament the op portunity.

The Premier said the question wma before Cabinet and Parliament might widen the law to give patriotic societies a wider scope for raising money in that way. The question wms on the Order Paper and it would come before Parliament in the course of a few days. He could not commit the Government,

Mr. Smith: We shall be glad to know that you favour the alteration. The Premier said he could not commit himself: without committing the Government. At present the law says that the Minister for Internal Affairs cannt allow anything further than the Actprovides for. During previous Carnivals the police understood that they were not to take action, but ho believed Cabinet would ask Parliament to open the door a little. He could not say anything further. The deputation thanked the Premier and dispersed.

The social was a success from every point of view, proving an exceedingly pleasant way of raising the wherewithal! to help those of our sons and brothers who may need kind thoughts on their return from fighting for the existence of our homes and our Empire.