TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1916, Page 4

TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

The fortnightly meeting of the Taranaki War Relief Association was held at Stratford yesterday. Present; Messrs J. E. Wilsn (New Plymouth) in the chair, Beckbessingei (North Taranaki), Winfleld (Inglewood), Crump (Eltham), MdPhillipa (Manaia), Kirkwood (Stratford), Fleming M'ntea), and McMillan, secretary (Stratford). Apologies were received from Messrs E. Dunn and W. E. Pcrcival

The secretary reported that the district committees had informed him that the following amounts wereait hand:— Inglewood £349, Opunake £'1286, North Taranaki £3300, Eltham £3718, Stratford (in hand and in sight) £7300, Patea £3OOll, New Plymouth £7001).

It was decided to assist returned soldiers by lending them money to purchaso cows and plant to 'start 'arming. The matter ai two discharged men who wanted loans to get to England, wjiere they were formerly residing, was fully discussed. One of the men is suffering from a weak heart, and is only allowed 10s a week pension, which is quite)inadequate.—lt was decided to grant assistance to one man, provided he produced a medical certificate as to his unfitness. The other, applicant was informed that the Association could not grant assistance, because it could not encourage the policy of able-bodied men leaving the Dominion, and could only grant relief to necessitous cases.

Mr. Wilson said the New Plymouth Committee had discussed the matter of a "Sailors' Day" for collecting funds' for widows and dependents of those lost in the North Sea battle. It had been suggested that' .Tune 21 would be a suitable day throughout Taranaki for this object.

Mr. Crump moved that the Association approve of a collection being taken up on "Sailors' Day," and that all Patriotic Committees in Taranaki he asked to set apart June 24, for the purpose. Mr. McPhillips seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was decided to invite committees to forward "Sailors' Day" contributions to the Association, so that the whole of the amount raised could be sent in one sum to the proper autlioritiun as a Taranaki contribution.

Mr. Wilson said that little was Wingilone regarding the outlying districts of Taranaki.' Ho did not know what was being done in,the Olnira district, and suggested that it should, he communicated with aVid asked to join the Association. Regarding Tnunuiruiiui district it was quite possible the people there were working with the Auckland As-oeiation. —lt was decided to leave the matter'in the hands'of the chairman to report to next meeting.

Mr. T C. Fookes was appointed honorary solicitor to the Association, subject to his acceptance.. ? The Hawke's Hay Association wrote that many soldiers had applied for assistance on land that hud been set apart for soldiers-'. Many of the successful applieants v eame from all over the Dominion, and the Association thought the different district Associations, where these men came from should give assistance—The chairman moved thai the Advisory Board obtain full particular as to what assistance the fiovcrnment is giving, so that more definite information may bo obtained than is now avii'nblc. This was seconded byMr. McPhillipsarid carried.

H was decided to call for applications for the position of secretary to (he Association, at a salary of i-JOO per annum.

One application was received from a discharged' soldier for assistance to no on the land.-The Association considered the Case was not one of necessity, and it was not in the best interests of the applicant that the request should ho granted.

The secretary of the South' Taranaki Winter-Show wrote regretting that there was no available space f t< r the patriotic car that the As-ceialion was raffling and, further, that they had dw-id, d •'o ceto canvassing inside the show buildings.