PATRIOTIC COMMITTEES.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1915, Page 3

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEES.

CONFERENCE AT STRATFORD, Stratford, Yesterday. A conference of patriotic societies in Tarannki was bold in the Town Hall, Stratford,-to-day. Mr. ,r. E. Wilson, chairman of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee, was voted to the chair, and Mr. J. W. Boon (Mayor of Stratford) was appointed acting secretary. The following delenates were also present: New Plymouth, Messrs C. H. Burgess (Mayor); Tariki, J. Therkleson; Elthani, L. B. Grimstone and G. H. Buekeridgc; Hawera, E. Dixon (Mayor) and L. A. Bone; Patea, G. R. Horner; Toko, W. H. Were and Gernhoefer; Cardiff, .1. T. Belcher, W. Richards; Stratford, W. P. Rirkwood, ,T. McMillan; North Taranaki League, E. Beckbessingor (Mayor of Waitara) and H. Were; Taranaki Farmers' Executive, R. Dunn; Inglewood, Geo. Young (Mayor) and W. H. Matthews; Manaia, A. J. Bennett and Christie; Kaponga, Priestly and Father Cahill. The chairman said he had invited Mr. D. McLaren to be present at the conference, and felt sure his advice would be welcomed. Many attempts had been made to establish 'a national fund throughout the Dominion. Unfortunately some parts of the Dominion had not come into the scheme. If a national fund .had been established their duties would practically have been finished, at any rate as far as the meeting that day was concerned. It was now necessary for them to act independently, with the right to amalgamate with any other association; He had delayed calling the delegates together in the hope of sonicthing more definite being done regarding a national scheme. Mr. Skerrett had visited Auckland and it was now known that that district would not come into the scheme. Wellington City had initiated a scheme which he thought should be accepted for this district, after a few necessary alterations to suit the circumstances of the province. He therefore moved: "That an association be formed, to be called the Taranaki War Relief Association, such association to consist of local societies, leagues, and committees formed for the raising and administration of war funds within the provincial district of Taranaki."

The motion was seconded by Mr, Dixon.

Mr. Bennett (Manaia) wanted to know his position there that day. He and Mr. Christie represented Manaia, Otokeho, and Auroa, and in such an important conference they could not bind their committee. For the time being they could not vote, but would be pleased to offer any suggestions. The chairman said he would be pleased to receive suggestions, and felt sure it was only a matter of time when all the committees would come into the scheme.

Mr. Dixon (Hawera) regretted that Manaia had not been represented at previous conferences. It was important that all the committees in Taranaki should join the scheme, and it was equally important that they should go ahead.

Mr. Horner (Patea) said that, seeing the national scheme had fallen through for the time being, he hoped they would do their utmost to form one society. They could well follow the Wellington seheme.__ Failing a national scheme, his committee favored the disctrict scheme, and uniting to make a solid association.

Mr. Kirkwood supported the motion. He was sure every league or committee in the district would come in sooner or later.

Mr. Grimstone (Eltham) could not say whether Eltham would support the district scheme, but he was sure that if further information was satisfactory Eltham would come in.

The motion was then put arid carried. Mr. Bennett (Manaia) wanted to know if the fund was to be for the sick and wounded of New Zealand or of Taranaki. His committee favored localising, instead of centralising. Mr. Priestly (Kaponga) said there were many New with the Australian Forces. Were we going to exclude them?

Mr. D. McLaren said the proposals were of a wide nature. Ultimately, he considered, a national fund must be brought in. The proposals were on broad lines to give assistance to New Zealand troops and auxiliary forces. The national fund trustees could not refuse assistance, if required, to dependents, living in New Zealand, of men fighting with the Australian or other forces. Wellington had decided not to drop the idea of a national policy, and they favored:—(l) Active local supervision; (2) district power of administration; (3) Dominion co-operation. Mr. Priestly (Kaponga) agreed with Mr. McLaren. His son had enlisted in Otago, although he was a Taranaki boy, and the association should not refuse assistance to anyone. Mr. Horner said the association should grant relief to any soldier from this district, * irrespective of where he enlisted.

Mr. Dunn (Farmers Executive): Why not restrict the clause to Taranaki? The chairman said that was the very thing they did not want to do. Their work was not confined to Taranaki. The association later on would be attached to a larger association.

Mr. Bennett moved: "That for the purpose of the association it may be empowered to borrow or raise mo?iey by pledging or mortgaging or hypothecating of the real and personal property of the association or any part thereof."

The chairman, in seconding, said the association ought to have power to hypothecate deposits. There was no harm in giving them the power in case any cmergency should arise. In regard to clause 3, making the boundaries those of the Taranaki district, the chairman moved that "or adjacent territory" be added. Mokau and Awakino districts desired to come in with the'Taranaki association.

Mr. Beckbessinger said Mokau and Awakino were already sending men as from this district, and were ■ sending their funds to the North Taranaki Committee.

On the question of an executive committee, Mr. Homer suggested election from the different committees in Taranaki. The chairman did not think this wise. Only those in direct touch should be elected to the committee. He, however, urged that the small committees should group themselves together into districts, and should be represented on the association by the head committee. They wanted every league or association a member of the central group. Mr. Horner suggested that the executive should not be too large; 10 or 12 members should be sufficient. Mr. Dunn said the Farmers' Executive could not join any local branch. Mr. Priestly thought, the executive should be chosen from those in touch with the railway, thus saving a lot of, expense in travelling to the meetings.

Mr. Bennett said lie was not prepared to bind the Manaiu. district to belong to any group. They had a very large district, and might ueed direct representation.

Mr. McLaren said they could have the executive scattered all over the district. It was a wise course not to stint the number on the executive; all branches could be represented, and sub-commit-tees appointed to carry out the administrative acts.

Mr. Matthews moved that the executive, committee of'the association should consist of nine members, to be appointed by the patriotic committee of each of the following districts or centres: North Taranaki (Waitara), New Flvmouth. Inglewoort. Stratford, Elthani, Hawern, Patea, Manaia, and Egmont County, and one by the Taranaki Provincial Executive of the Fanners' Union; five members to form a quorum; the chairman to be elected from or by such members.—Carried.

Mr. Dixon asked if the Hawera group would have power to administer relief to men in their own district, on the scale that the association would lay down.

The chairman thought not. The Hawera group would investigate and report to the executive, but of course they could give temporary assistance. Mr. Priestly considered that each group should have the power to givi* temporary relief; that was to say, the Kaponga branch would have power to grant relief up to, say, ;C2 and report to the Eltham group. The suggestion met with the approval of those present. When the question of headquarters for the centre came up for discussion, Mr. Kirkwood said he was authorised to state that Mr. McMillan would agree to act as secretary, provided an oflicc was provided and an assistant appointed. Mr. Young (Inglewood) said that after hearing Mr. Kirkwood, lie wouhl move that the centre be Stratford. Mr. Belcher (Cardiff) seconded the motion, which was. carried.

Mr. McMillan said lie would agree to act provided an assistant was appointed. He thought the assistant should be a returned soldier, and if he made a success of it later on they could appoint him permanently.

It was decided to ask Mr. McMillan to act as interim secretary, he to convene a .meeting of delegates when same arc appointed. Mr. Were (Waitara) thought the association should define the boundaries of each sub-branch. He moved that the executive committee define the boundaries of the different committee districts in the association.—Carried.

The- chairman said they would have to see that the Defence Department did not throw their responsibility on the association, instead of taking on the liability themselves. Further, they would have to watch that the Pensions Board did not grant only small pensions, knowing that large sums were in the hands of committees, and expect the committees to add to the amount of the pensions.

Mr. Dunn moved that the secretary ascertain from the branches the amount of money they have raised.—Carried.

Before the meeting dispersed Mr. Di.von moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Wilson for presiding. He'was pleased to find that although Mr. Wilson had resigned from the Mayoralty of New Plymouth he intended to take an interest in patriotic work, and he hoped to have the pleasure of seeing him chairman of the executive for the district.

The motion was carried by acclamation, and Mr. Wilson thanked Mr. Dixon and the delegates for their kind expressions.

Mr. Bennett moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. D. McLaren for his kind assistance, and this was carried unanimously.