TAIHAPE PATRIOTIC SOCIETY

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 15 May 1917, Page 5

TAIHAPE PATRIOTIC SOCIETY

A general committee meeting of the Taihape Patriotic Society was held last evening in Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith’s rooms. Present: Messrs A. L. Arrowsmith (chairman), L. E. Deacon, J. Evans, J. Thurston, G. Parker, E. McLaughlau, A. R. Fannin, P. E. Wakeman, D, Neagle, G. Wrightson, E. Loader, S. Powell, W. J. Munr.o, W. H. Fookes, A. James, H. D. Bond, G. Bray, D. McLennan, G. F. Shanley, A. R. Davies, W. J. H. McCormick, W. McLennan, and N. E. Drayton (secretary).

The executive committee reported as follows:

Re Ohakune and NorthernxDistrict.—We recommend that a copy 'of the paragraph dealing with this' matter in the report of the committee, which was adopted at the annual general meeting of this Society held on May 3rd, bo sent to Ohakune, Rangataua, Hciopito, Raurimu and Owhango, with a covering letter suggesting that a meeting or representatives from each place be held in the largest centre, Ohakune, at an early date at which they can discuss the position and come to a decision as to whether they amalgamate with this Society or sever their connection therefrom. Your executive is of the opinion that if this suggestion was carried out some finality would be reached and the matter settled one way or the other.

A Lieut. Hooker made application to the Wanganui Patriotic Society for assistance towards cost of officer’s kit. Wanganui referred the matter to this hoof ty and we advise Lieut. Hooker that this Society could not see their way to assist him .

Considerable discussion took place over the application of Lieut. Hooker for a kit allowance. Mr. W. McLennan moved that the matter be referred back to the executive with a recommendation that a £ls allowance bs made. In moving the resolution, Mr. McLennan stated that he was not personally acquainted with the applicant,, but, that .he’did ,so as a matter of principle, as oilier patriotic socle--tics made such*.grants. Also in this* case there was- the special circum-" stance that this man had left for the' front at the beginning of the war, had,’ worked himself into a commission, and had also returned wounded.

Mr. Munro considered that as every man going into camp, privates included, on small pay, were compelled to purchase additions to their kit to make themselves presentable, as a matter of principle, if this application were granted the Society could not honestly refuse a further application for assistance from any member of the Expeditionary Forces. Mr. A. James, in endorsing Mr Munro’s views, further stressed the point that the Society funds should be conserved for necessitous cases of returned soldiers and their dependents, also that if the Defence Department’s grant for an officer’s kit allowance was not sufficient the Patriotic Sodities’ advisory board should he advised to take steps to ensure the Government allowance being . increased and the matter not left to the generosity' of the patriotic societies, whose funds were gathered for purely relief purposes.

Messrs J. Evans and BVay also expresed the opinion that the Society’s funds were held in trust foHthe assistance of returned men and their dependents. On being put to the vote Mr. McLennan’s amendment was lest. Mr. R. A. Davies moved a further amendment that the matter of a grant towards Lieut. Hooker’s kit allowance be referred hack to the executive for enquiry into applicant’s circumstances.

Mr. W. J. H. McCormick seconded the amendment, which was carried. With the exception of the question of Lieut. Hooker’s application for kit allowance, the remainder of the executive committee’s report was adopted.

The Returned Soldiers’ Committee report was read and adopted.

The treasurer’s report was adopted, it being shewn that the Society’s funds were invested as follows; Fixed deposits Bank of Australasia £SOOO, Bank of New Zealand £6000; Post Office Savings Bank £Bl5 3s 2d.

It was decided to pay the sum of £5 7s 5d collected on Anzac Dav, into the Incidental Fund.

The following members were elected on the executive committee: Messrs A. L. Arrowsmith (chairman), N. E. Drayton (secretary), L. E. Deacon (treasurer ex-officio), and Messrs A. James, G. Wrightson, G. Bray re-elect-ed unanimously In speaking to the motion that Messrs A. James, G. Wrightson, and G. Bray be re-elected, Mr. W. McLennan voiced the general opinion of the meeting when he referred to the excellent work performed by these gentlemen during the past year, and considered it would be bad policy to “swap horses in mid-stream.” Last year’s Returned Soldiers’ Committee, Messrs A. James, S. Powell,

and D. Neagle, were unanimously reelected. The chairman eulogised the splendid services rendered by these gentlemen during the past year, referring to the great amount of time and trouble each of them gave in the interests of the returned men. With the increase of work in this department, the question was raised of increasing the sub-committee to deal with returned soldiers’ affairs. Mr. Arrowsmith intimated that if the work got beyond the committee, an addition to the personnel could be made at any subsequent meeting of the general committee. The members of the Returned SolJliershOonmiittce considered The work although arduous, interesting, and deemed it a privilege to be'W closely in touch with men who had been through tho.,“thick of it.’ 7 A vote ,of thanks to the chair closed what was one' of thd best attended committee meetings for some considerable time.