WAR WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1915, Page 3

WAR WORK.

NEW PLYMOUTH'S HELP. PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE'S WORK AN INTERESTING REVIEW.

An interesting review of the work which has been done by the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee since its formation a few days after the outbreak of the war was given by the chairman (Mr. J. E. Wilson) at a public meeting at the Town Hall last night. There was a good attendance of .citizens, and the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) presided. Mr. Wilson said:—"The committee was appointed by a citizens' meeting held on Saturday, August 8, 1914, just after the declaration of war A number of gentlemen were then appointed, with power to add to their number, a power of which the committee has taken advantage. The resolution setting up the committee was framed in the following words: 'That the following persons be the citizens' committee for the purpose of assisting the Government by all means in its power in any measures which the Government may consider necessary to be taken in connection with the defence of the Empire and the Dominion, and for all purposes relating to the mobilisation, equipment and despatch of volunteers from the Dominion, and relief of Sny necessities which may arise by reason of the war.' The committee opened a fund to further these objects, and the moneys subscribed to that fund have been used in part, i.e., to the extent of £SOO in assisting the Government in the provision of the Expeditionary Forces. Other sums have been used to assist in equipment and for regimental funds, as shown in the balance-sheet. In all, £1250 was remitted to the Prime Minister. The committee very early realised that there would be need of assistance to those men who would be incapacitated by wounds or sicknes3 while serving the country, and to those dependent on them and on those who might lose their lives, and decided to husband their funds for ■these purposes. The committee-Consider-ed that the outfitting of the forces was a matter for the Government and should not be in any way dependent on voluntary subscription. Later the committee undertook the raising of a special fund ■for the assistance of the poor in the United Kingdom and Belgium, and still receives and forwards money subscribed for the relief of the Belgians. They were some time ago advised th&t there ■was no need for further subscriptions for the poor in Britain. Their efforts now are almost entirely devoted to the relief of wounded New Zealand soldiers and their dependents and the dependents of those who have been killed or have [died of disease whilst on active service, j Included in the objects of Buch relief are those who whilst not wounded are, whilst serving their country, unable to properly maintain their dependents. So far the relief given by the committee has been confined to the latter class of case—and the need for such relief has in some cases been very pressing. Another function of the committee is to assist the Government in assisting men returned from active service to obtain suitable employment.

FEDERATION SCHEME. "It will be in the mind of the public than an endeavor has been made to federate the Patriotic Societies throughout the Dominion with the object of providing sucli relief as shall be necessary to all wounded soldiers and sailors and auxiliaries and their dependents and the dependents of those who lose their lives, and ensuring that such relief shall be uniform throughout the Dominion, irrespective of the domicile of the recipient. This principle involves the assistance of poorer districts by those parts of the Dominion in which the generous recognition of their duty to the men who are fighting for our liberty the people have provided the committees with large funds. Unfortunately, some of the districts having large fupda will not agree that their funds should be available for relief outside their own districts, and the establishment of a National Fund though not abandoned seems improbable of fulfilment. In the meantime, the committee is glad to report, the Taranaki Societies are in complete accord and have already decided to join in a National Association as a Taranaki branch, federating all the Societies in the Taranaki Provincial District. Pending the constitution of a National Association it is suggested that a Taranaki Provincial, Association be formed for the same purposes. The first duty of the chairman of the committee to be elected by this meeting will be to convene a conference of Taranaki Societies to further the constitution of such an Association. Failing a National Association '-it is possible that an Association may be formed embracing the Wellington Military District in which Taranaki is included.

"The foregoing covers shortly the work of the committee for.thc past 15 months. The members of the committee consider that the citizens should have this report and be asked to elect a fresh committee to carry on the very necessary work of making provision for our soldiers and sailors and their dependents and in giving assitsance to the Government in this connection. The committee desires to make grateful reference to the continuous assistance given by the "New Plymouth Women's Patriotic Committee under the leadership of the Mayoress in the provision of Comforts for the members of the Expeditionary Forces. We desire also to acknowledge the very material assistance given by the Taranaki Daily News and the Taranaki Herald and Budget, and those gentlemen who have made gifts for disposal by the committee in aid of its funds, notably Mr. E. Griffiths who gave a valuable bull to be raffled and Mr. Newton King who has offered a fine motor-car, also those who have undertaken the raising of funds by special efforts. In conclusion, the committee hopes that its successor will have the continued support of the public in its endeavours to make suitable provision for the wants of those who have gone forth to help to preserve our Empire and our Dominion."

NATIONAL FUND PROBLEM. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr. Wilson said those .people in Taranaki who had this patriotic work at heart felt very disappointed that the National Fund scheme had not been brought in. The New Plymouth Committee, and the other committees in Taranaki had been represented at three conferences in Wellington to discuss the matter, but," as pointed out in the report, some of the bigger districts, which had got enormous sums of money, would not agree that other districts which may have sent *way more men than the bigger districts

sliould get assistance from those districts. The position was a very keen one in Taranaki, for, although Taranaki only carried a twentieth part of the population of New Zealand, this province had contributed at least a tenth of the men who had gone to the war. Taranaki was not a wealthy province, and this was recognised by one of the districts that had raised a considerable sum of money. Some representative:; of the bigger districts had told Mr. Wilson that they realised that Taranaki had a good case, but they felt there were some wealthy districts that had not done their duty, and it would not be right to ask the big districts to help them. At the last conference there was considerable opposition to the National Fund from Auckland and Dunedin and he felt that Auckland would certainly stand out, and he had much doubt that they would get the support of the southern parts of the Dominion, It might be possible for Taranaki to federate with the WellingI ton district, and if Taranaki got this it would be a step forward. In the meantime, the Taranaki committees must federate and they were all ready to do so. Reverting to the work done by the New Plymouth Committee, Mr. Wilson said they had forwarded £2394 4s llu for the relief of the poor in Great Britain and Ireland, and they had forwarded twenty-six cases of clothes to those in need. The position in regard tc the committee's funds was satisfactory, though they could never say they had enough money. The sum of £IOOO had been put in the Post Office Savings Bank, £IOOO in the Taranaki Building Society, £IOOO in the New Plymouth Investment Society, and £1053 in the National Bank, The money in the two building societies was in for one year at five per cent. Mr. Wilson stated that he had omitted from his report mention of the good work done by the hon. secretary (Mr. L. M. Monteath), and the lion, treasurers (Messrs. J. Paton and W. J. Chaney). Mr. O. N. Firth seconded the motion, and the report and balance-sheet were adopted.

THE NEW COMMITTEE. The following committee was appointed: The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess), and Messrs. W. A. Collis, T. C. List, F. C. J. Bellringer, H. Goodacre, C. Carter, A. L. Nolan, E. Griffiths, J. R. Hill, R. C. Hughes, J. Clarke, W. C. Weston, J. E. Wilson, D. J. Hughes, C. E. Bellringer, J. S. S. Medley, W. H. Moyes, Captain Allen, the Revs. A. H. Colvile, A. B. Chappell, Roseveare, Hales and Adjuj tant Home.

Mr. Collis suggested that ladies should be added to the comnjitte. Mr. Wilson thought it would be better if the committee acted; in conjunction with the ladies' patriotic committee. It was decided to ask the ladies' patriotic committee to apopint a sub-committee to work with a subcommittee of the Patriotic Committee. Mr. Wilson consented to be chairman on the understanding that the deputychairman carried on the work during the next two or three months.

GENERAL. It was decided that the committee should meet every Tuesday night at 7.30 o'clock.

Mr. Monteath was re appointed hon. secretary, and Messrs. Patou and Chaney were re-appointed hon. treasurers. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman (Mr. J. E. Wilson)* and members of the outgoing committee, and to Mrs. Wilson. A similar compliment was paid to the hon. secretary and to the hon. treasurers.