WAR RELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1916, Page 8

WAR RELIEF.

•MEETING OP "ADVISORY BOARD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April (i. The first meeting of the advisory hoard to the Patriotic War Relief Societies Association was held to-day. A long discussion took place on the'functions of tlie hoard, which it was decided must he regarded as purely advisory. It was resolved—''That in view of the assurance given by tlie Minister foi Defence that money provided by ,>Mriotic societies for soldiers serving a'iroad will be used solely for comforts outsi-Je ordinary necessaries, tlie advisory hoard endorses the resolution passed by tin conference (to subscribe £3OOO monthly for the purpose) and recommends-, societies to act accordingly as from April 1."

The chairman (Hon. .T. T. Paul) mentioned that the Government had asked societies to give particulars regarding eevry case assisted. The view lie had taken was that this would he utterly useless work. Hundreds oi pages would have (o he prepared, and no use was likely to he made of all the details that would have to he recorded. It would he far better to give tlie total amount disbursed monthly among soldiers and dependants.

It was decided to meet on May 4 to discuss how often future meetings should be held.

It was resolved to recommend North Island patriotic societies to contribute to the cost of the social hall at Rotorua.

It was resolved —"That where possible, appeals for financial assistance other than local be referred to the advisory board for consideration and recommendation": also that the Minister be asked to set up an appeal hoard, a case Wing quoted where a North Otago soldier had been deprived of his pension because he refused to undergo an operation for a gunshot wound.