WAR RELIEF ADVISORY BOARD.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 146, 23 June 1916, Page 5

WAR RELIEF ADVISORY BOARD.

, \\ ELLiNGiviN, .Bane 22. At :i meeting of the War Relief Advisory Board no-uay, the Cnairnum stated t;;at the Otago satyety was ashing other sotvieties to contrumte towards comforts tor the men on Quarantine iouind.—t he matter was leit to the chairman to arrange. A letter was received from Hawke’s Bay War Belief Assocciation stating that the association had received applications from discharged soldiers who secured sections in Hawke's Bay at the recent ballot, for assistance by way of loan, to enable them to commence improvements and purchase oi stock, in the of the cases they have no capital, and the Government’s advance is macro the rate of 75 per cent on improvements made. In some cases men who enlisted in other parts of the Dominion have secured sections in" Hawke's Bay and have ifpplied to the association for assistance, os the grounds that they arc now settlors* m Hawke’s Bay, and their applications have been recommended by various patriotic societies throughout the province.

The Chairman sa'id tne question was an important one. He did not think anything could bp done until they knew how many soldiers were to tie provdea for. He advised the setting up of a small committee to interview the Minister lor Bands on the subject and receive* all necessary information. There was also the question of providing for men who did not desire to go on the land. Mr Lamer (Auckland) said tne matter was one for the Government. There was a danger of relief societies becom* ing money-lenders and losing their proper functions. Mr. Gibbons (Wanganui) said the members of his committee, being practical fanners, had gone into the matter o 4 ' land 'settlement, thoroughly. A scheme for settling men on the land would not. be successful unless the Government. seccured the assistance ofJocal practical men. His idea was that, the Government should find 85 or 90 per cent of tlie advances to soldiers, and the local committees the remainder. Th's would he of immense assistance to so diers and to the country. The Wanganui Soceiety would bo aery disappointed if the societies did not assist .n -ettnng men on the land. Mr Dougall (Christchurch) said that as a general principle relief societies should assist iu placing soldiers on the land. Mr Lamer considered that the funds of the association would he suitable to sec the scheme through. On the motion of Mr Elliott (Auckland) it was resolved that in the event •if a soldier settling in a district other than that in which he resided when he enlisted, and who applies inland obtains a loan from a local patriotic society in the district of enlistment, shall not be responsible for repayment of such loan. It was decided that the chairman, vice-chairman, “am| wait om th%,Promief and request that the Government! should increase'the anlount to be ad-| vaheod. Li' : :Li ' £Gl.l,V£& t On the motion of Mr. J. Gilkison, iti was decided that when a married maul enlists he be compelled to sign an allotment of pay for the support of his wife; and a separation allowance for the, benefit of Ids wife and children. The Board decided to, meet again on! August 2nd. and that the annual con-; Terence Be held in August - - •"’* " u j