PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1916, Page 3

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

ORDINARY MEETING. A meeting of the New i'lymoutli Patriotic Committee was held in the Town Ilall last night, when there were present, Messrs. J. JO. Wilson (chairman), H. Goodacrc, YV. A. Collis, J. R. Hill, C. E. Bellringer, L. A. Nolan, J. Paton, W. J. Chancy, A. B. Gibson, W. C. Weston, 0. N. Firth, and Rev. Hales, Ensign Home and L. M. Monteath (secretary). Apologies were received from the Mayor, Messrs. Clark, Hughes, and Capt. Allen. ADVISORY BOARD. The chairman reported that he had attended the meeting of the Advisory Board, in Wellington. This board, lie thought, would do useful work in coE'inating the various societies. It uld also provide a useful means of lmunicating with Ministers of the Crown from time to time in matters of administration. In connection with the sum of £3OOO per ,month, which the Minister of Defence asked Patriotic Societies to provide, and of which Taranaki's share would be £155, the Advisory Board considered that, providing the administration was found to be satisfactory, Patriotic Societies should provide the money. If it was found that the soldiers were not benefiting by the money being sent through the Government it could be sent- through other channels. It was proposed at present to send the money to be distributed througn the New Zealand War Contingents Relief Association. Of this £I2OO or £ISOO would be expended in Egypt. In connection with the establishment of a club at Rotorua, which had been practically underwritten by the Wanganui people it was considered that there was every need for such a club. The Government were providing sanatoria for the men, but there was need for a social club. The furnishing of the club, and the provision of punts as house-boats on the lake would cost £SOO, of which Taranaki's quota would be very little. In reply to questions, the chairman said that as soon as the necessary authority was obtained the local societies would all transfer their funds to the I Taranaki Provincial League, who would make the, payments. Mr. Goodaere said that he was not in sympathy with the proposed payment of £3OOO, if this was to save the Government ' the expenditure of money on things they should provide. The chairman said that the money was used for purposes entirely outside that for the provision of tobacco, writing materials, additional clothing, etc. GENERAL. • In connection with the raffle of the motor-car, presented by Mr, Newton King, the chairman reported that the matter was well in hand, and a permit had been received and the tickets were printed. The committee was working in conjunction with Stratford. The chairman also reported, in connection with the appeal for funds for the Y.M.C.A., that as a result the amount had been practically doubled, and only another £IOO was required to raise the necessary £250. The chairman and Mr. C. E. Bellringer were appointed delegates to the general meeting of th Provincial War Relief Association to he held in Stratford to-day, for the purpose of revising the rules. Mr. A. B. Gibson withdrew his name from the Art Union Committee.