NORTH TARANAKI PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1915, Page 8

NORTH TARANAKI PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

WEEKLY MEETING. The usual weekly meeting of the League was held in the Waitara Borough Chambers on -Monday evening, his Worship the Mayor presiding. The chairman reported that the fare- ! well social to the departing recruits had been a success, both socially and financially, ari& that the Bed Cross market day had resulted in a pront of over £2l. He welcomed Mr. S. Elliott, delegate from the Waihi branch, to the meetUg. A member of the committee brought up the matter of one of the recruits, who had enlisted nearly four months ago and had ibeen advised to proceed to Trentham on Monday evening, but at 2 o'clock that afternoon had received notice from the group area officer that his services had been declined owing to his not having good vision. This man had been farewelled with the other men the previous week, like them receiving a token of appreciation from the Waitara people. Then just live hours before the starting time he received the wire as stated. It was decided to draw the attention of the Prime Minister to the humiliating position the man had been placed in, and ask that an inquiry be held to ascertain who was responsible for /hot advising the recruit until the eleventh hour, although the recruiting officer and doctor were made aware of the fact at the time of enlistment and examination that the applicant had one defective eye, but was able to shoot from his left shoulder, and had received four years' training with the territorials at Home. One of the committee voiced the opinion that the doings of the League did not receive the newspaper publicity • that they warranted, and thought it would be beneficial to the League's efforts if more were given. Another member was of the same opinion, and thought that this"~might prevent such statements as had been recently expressed 'by one whom he termed a "slacker." When this individual was I asked for a subscription for the pur- ' pose of making presentations for the l departing reinforcements he refused, on the ground that he was not giving money awaj' so that some members of the committee might have a good time tripping round the country at his expense. The speaker was one of those referred to, and said the League were quite justified in paying such expenses as were legitimate iu carrying on the affairs of the League, and when deputations had Ibeen sent away by local bodies it was not at the personal expense of the delegates. Both the members referred to had given much time and thought for the necessary work conuected with the League, which they considered was only their duty; but when such expressions were made use ' of. suggesting that these members were having a good time at the public expense, it was quite time something was heard from the other side. It so happens that neither member had any idea of making claims on the League, even for out-of-pocket expenses. The other member referred to said, like the previous speaker, that he had given time and the use of his motor-car to the League ungrudgingly, for the reason that; he deemed it his duty, and he made no claim for either its use or for personal expenses incurred, feeling that he was amply rewarded by knowing that he was'doing something for 1 the cause. Several other speakers were of the opinion that whoever made the • statement was not worthy of anything ■ but contempt. Votes of thanks were passed to Mrs. Wilkes, Misses Gilbert (2), Captain Al- i len and Mr. Farmer, for their assistance ' at the soldiers' farewell. It was decided to send £2OO to the Belgian relief fund at once, and that in ' future sub-branches are to be supplied with a precis of the League's weekly ( meetings, so a3 to keep them in touch ' with its doings. _ , The departing members of the reinforcements were farewelled at the Waitara station on Monday evening. The platform was too small for the crowd that desired to see the men depart. His Worship the Mayor addressed a fewwords to the men, conveying the appreciation of their fellow townsmen on the step taken. He trusted that a number of the young men around him would soon follow suit. Cheers were given for the men, those at the front, and his Majesty. The band played several patriotic airs, and as the train steamed out rendered "Auld- Lang Syne." (We have arranged to give an account of the League's doings, and iu future a full report will appear in our columns; we are only too pleased to be able to assist in this direction.—Ed., Bails; Newg.),