DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1916, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

OKATO. PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE FORMED. A representative gathering of settlers of Okato, Punilio, and Tatarairaaka was held at the Hempton Hall, Okato, on Monday evening, to discuss the formation of a local patriotic committee. Mr. R. Roebuck presided. In opening the meeting the chairman said that those who had convened the meeting had thought that the settlers of Okato, Tataraimaka and Punilio would like to show their appreciation of the sacrifice made by men who had gone to the front from that district. Mr. Andrews moved that a local patriotic committee be formed and funds raised for farewelling and welcoming troops and other objects though fit. Mr. J. S. Fox thought that any sum that would be subscribed in Okato would not go very far amongst any number of men that might come back maimed .or permanently injured. Not only that, but they would be breaking faith with the Central Taranaki Patriotic Committe, and would forfeit the £7OO they liad contributed to it. Centralisation was the right idea. The thing had been thrashed out by the most able men of the country, and all recognised the fact that a number of small committees would prove a failure. The chairman pointed out that some gentlemen present had a mistaken idea of the objects of the meeting. TJiey only intended to welcome local men back, and perhaps give them a small sum to tide them over the first weeks of their return, before they could obtain relief '.from the larger committees and the Government.

Mr. W. Gray did not believe in treating returned troopers to jam-tarts, etc. if the meeting decided to support the central committee lie would help, but not otherwise.'

Mr. Gill pointed out that the boys at the front were living on bully beef and biscuits, while they at home had the jam tarts. They intended to give the returned boys ar entertainment and a small purse of sovereigns as a memento. Mr. Hunter said they also wished to erect brasses in the schools, or perhaps some permanent memorial, to those who gave their lives for the Empire. Mr. Andrews said he thought they had done their share towardc the central fund, and no one would object to the line they were ■ taking. He had some doubt as to the result of the one big fund—there would probably be a' big row in the end, and many deserving cases would be overlooked. He knew .personally of several deserving cases that had been deliberately ignored and turned down. The Government did their best to drive the inen awav, and lie 'knew of one deserving case that had applied to the Tarana'ki Committee and had been loaned £2! ■ He thought the man should be given "a fiver". Mr. W. Binney supported the Central Committee.

[ Mr. E. Aroa considered that the Central Committee would prove fully capable of carrying out the duties for which it was formed, but he considered they should have a strong and live committee of their own to w?lcome home returned troopers and attend to all patriotic matters. Be seconded the resolution.

Representatives from Tataraimaka and Puniho said they could not speak for the feeling of the settlers in the district on the question, and the chairman pointed out that the only thiug the .meeting could do wa9 to decide what would be done in Okato and district.

Mr. Woolridge briefly outlined some of the objects of the proposed committee.

Mr. 'Fox said that after hearing the further details mentioned during the course of the meeting he had decided to support the resolution. ' The motion was then carried without a dissentient. It was decided to invite Tataraimaka and Puniho to join with them. The following were then appointed to the committee: . Messrs C. Andrews (chairman), T. Street, J. S. Fox, C. Gill, R. F. Roebuck, J. Woolridge (secretary), 'S. Daily, and H. Aroa. Aftpr some discussion it was resolved that, should the other districts decide to amalgamate with Okato, the local committees could make' their own arrangements with regard to the venue of the farewell or other gatherings, but that any .surplus funds would.be centralised ! for the benefit of all concerned.

A subscription list was opened, and during the evening £9 Is was donated. The chairman announced that Mr. Barnett had practically decided to donate the proceeds of the recent concert to the fund if it was decided to inaugurate it. (Applause.) The meeting concluded with the usual votes of thanks.