PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1915, Page 8

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

The last meeting of the Patriotic Committee was held last evening. Present: Mr. J. E. Wilson (in the chair), Revs. A. H. Colvile, A. B. Chappell, Messrs C. H. Burgess, Carter, Pcnn, Collis, Bellringer, Brooking, Chaney, Paton (treasurer), and Monteath (secretary). The chairman reported, on behalf of 1 the sub-committee set up to interview the local Dentists' Association regarding assisting recruits with faulty teeth, that they had met members of the Association, who explained that the Dentists' Association had formulated a policy, and nothing could come of a conference. He ]jad telegraphed to the Minister of Defence as follows:—"A serious proportion of recruits are being rejected for faulty teeth. I understand ,that the Dental Association lias arranged with [the Defence Department that its members will provide necessary attention to such cases. Will you confirm or otherwise, and, if comet, may I give publicity, so that recruits rejected solely on account of faulty teeth may at once receive attention from local members of the Association and be rendered fit to join!" He had received the following reply:—"ln reply to your wire, an arrangement has practically been completed with the Dental Association for the treatment of would-be recruits' teeth and regulations are being prepared now. As soon as these are ready, information will be given to the public." Mr. Wilson said the trouble wa9 that the Dentists' Association had been handling the question for twelve months now, and the regulations were only now being draft-/ ed. Mr. Carter: Is the Defence Department going to take the responsibility? Mr. Wilson said they would await the regulations. They all knew the Dentists' Association had given work to the value of pounds gratis. The way they got over the Cental trouble in Stratford was that the Comihittee handed the recruit the money, and he went to his own dentist.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr, Bellringer, to write the local Defence Office for the names of recruits turned down solely on account of dental defects, .so that help could be afforded them.

The chairman reported that he had received several requests to call a meeting of the several Taranaki patriotic committees, but had refrained from so doing until it was seen if Auckland, Otago, and Canterbury were to come into the National Fund. In the meantime there seemed to be a desire that they should be proceed with their district organisations on such a basis that in the event of all the provinces coming into a National Fund, they could go in direct. He had replied that they were setting up a new Committee.in New Plymouth and suggested convening a meeting at Stratford at an early date. It was resolved to place another £100(5 on investment.

The chairman was appointed draw up a report to be presented to the public meeting on Friday evening.