PATRIOTIC WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1916, Page 8

PATRIOTIC WORK.

A DISAPPOINTING APATHY.OH NEW; PLYMOUTH. - The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee, and of contributors to the various funds, that was called for last night, at the Good Templar Hall, was very poorly attended, enly 35 persons being present. His Worship the Mayor (Mr C. H. Burgess) was voted to the chair, and in outlining the objerfs of the meeting referred with regret to the sparse attendance, which, he said, was probably accounted for by three reasons—the bad weather; the public's satisfaction with the deeds of last year's committee; ov public indifference. He was sorry to say that he thought the latter reason was the probable one. Mr. h. M. Montcath, lion, secretary, announced that he had no minutes or records to ] lace before the meeting, as they hod all been destroyed in" .the Th.-Ure Royal fire. In moving the adoption of the report (already published), Mr. Jas Wilson, chairman of the committee, referred at length to the work that had been done during the year. Important matters, he said, affecting the administration of of patriotic funds throughout the Dominion had been dealt with during the year, and much had been done towards the framing of a general constitution for patriotic bodies throughout New Zealand. But the rock upon which they had split was the pooling of funds. Tlie conference in February had nearly accomplished its purpose, viz., that of satisfactorily pooling, and ho (the speaker) had no doubt that this would ultimately bo accomplished An excellent feeling prevailed among the different patriotic bodies, and the recommendations of the Advisory Boani would doubtless be adopted. The Taranaki Provincial Association was now working on sound lines, and possessed one of the best executives in the Dominion. The members felt that there was a trust reposed in them, especially with reference to relief of necessitous cases. There had been a good deal of grumbling, bift every ease that had come before the committee had been carefully considered and dealt with on its merits. If anything 4 the committee had erred on the generous side. "In want" and "appears to bo in want" were diii'erential terms, and tiie amount of money so far subscribed in Tnranaki would not go far unless the very strictest scrutiny was made of applications for relief. The committee had done its best with the funds at its disposal, but what it had done was not nearly as much as should have been done and what the people would have to do. He (Mr. Wilson) could not understand the people of Tnranaki, in fact, of New Zealand. Sixty thousand of our men had gone away to fight for those remaining and yet people could not give up a few hours each week to helping them. There were hundreds of mm who had the privilege of being pr«ent that night to elect a committee, but where were they. The contrast between the patriotic work of the women and that of the men was indeed a very striking one. He wished to specially refer to the excellent support of the country people to all the patriotic funds, and here again a contrast, if made, was all against the townspeople. The report, Mr. Wilson stated, omitted any reference to the work done by the Harvest Labor Committee, which had attained capital results. -•**■ Mr. W. J. Chaney submitted S statement of receipts and expenditure as follows: N.P. PATRIOTIC FUND. Receipts.—Balance at 31st JanuaFy. 1910, £702 13s Id; Taranaki Herald and Budget Patriotic Fund, £3423 12s M; subscriptions from Societies and committees. £2370 7s 4d; British Red Cross Society, £430 Is 8d; subscriptions from private individuals, £lB4 7s lid; petty cash refunded, £10; Sailors and their Dependents Fund, £370 7s 9d; money advanced refunded, £0; motor car rattle, .£532; Y.M.C.A., ,£429 8s lOd. Total. £BSOO 1!) 3d. Balance at National Bank, £542 lis; less outstanding cheques, £3 10s 7d. Total, £539 ss. Expenditure.—Paid over to Taranaki War Fund, £2450; paid to Red Cro?* Fund, £421 Is Sd; deposits- (Bank of New Zealand), £2350; deposits (Post Office), £1000; paid to Y.M.C.A., £923 10s 4d; paid to Sailors and their Dependents' Fund, £370 7s 9d; J. ft. Wilson (imprest account) for temporary relief, £4l; donation Red Cross Society, £SO; paid for Relief of Dependents, £7B; advances to soldiers, etc., £4B 15s; stationery, printing, etc.. £ls 4s 2d; advertising. £33 17s; paid to Belgian Fund, £3S 12s; donation to Russian Day. £25; donation to Rotorua Home, £25; office rent, clerical assistance, etc.. for two years, £SO; expenses Foreshore Committee, £2l lis 4d; Womens' Patriotic Committee. £SO; sundries. £35 13s 2d; balance £539 0s fid. Total, £CJOO 19s 3d. POOR IN BELGIUM, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO FUND. Recoipts.—Contvibutions from various sources, £lsßl 8s 74, Total, ,£lsßl Ss 7d. Expenditure.—Remittances to UnderSecretary of Internal Affairs for distribution a3 requested, £1550; stationery and stamps 19s 3d; balance at National Bank, £3O fl s 4d. Total, £ISSI Ss 7d. Mr. Wilson said that the above statement did not include the Taranaki Herald and Budget Fund, by the help of which Taranaki was put on a good financial basis. He formally moved the adoption of the report and balancesheet, and this was seconded by Mr. C. Carter. Mr. J. McLeod said that he was quite satisfied vith the report and balancesheet, but he thought that the committee had failed in their methods oi raising funds. After two years of war the amount received was ridiculous for a district like Taranaki. The town itself could, or should, have found

£25,000. A scheme tK5t was hunched two years ago for raising money had simply been killed by the apathy of the public. He was afraid that the committee bad looked upon itself more as an administrative body than an agitative body. He hoped that co-operative efforts would be made to raise money. Tha motion was then put and carried. When the question of the election of a committee came forward, Mr. Wilson said that he thought there bad been too many members in the past. There should be fewer, with power to act, and he suggested that instead of an unwieldly committee of 30 there should be one composed of seven town residents, two returned soldiers, who could give valuable help, and, say. two representatives from each country committee. He understood that the rules of the Red Cross Society would not admit of that body being represented on the committee, and therefore lie did not include it in his suggestion. The Y.M.C.A. lie had also not included, as there was not a branch of that organisation in New Plymouth. Why, he could not understand. There ought to he one. The Y.M.C.A. was doing" magnificent work, and everyone should be proud to be associated with its work. In seconding the motion, pro forma, Mr, ,T. Clarke said that he thought the meeting should be postponed for a fortnight on account of the poor attendance. It should be made plain to the public of New Plymouth that they had a duty to perforin in these patriotic matters. The public should be made to see their position, as their apathy was disgraceful. It was not to elect a committee that night. There were men who should be present who were conspicuous by their absence; they were piling up money because of the war, and it made one blush for sliame to think that an hour or two could not be spared for such purposes as the meeting was called for. In reply to Mr. P. White, Mr. Wilson said that sub-committees would have to be appointed, though few would be wanted. Arrangements were bein" effected for the technical education of maimed men. The incoming committee would assist the Soldiers' Club in every way possible.

Mr. C. E. Bellringer said that a committee of seven townspeople could not cover the ground; there ought to be more, though he did not object to an executive of seven. As an amendment, he moved that fifteen town residents be appointed a committee, together with the others suggested by Mr.'Wilson. Mr. W. C. Weston seconded the amendment, which was supported bv Mr. P. White. • Mr. D. J. Hughes also supported the amendment, and commented strongly on the shameful attendance. It was evident, he said, that the men relied on the Indies to do all the work, as they had done in the past. Mr. H. Goodacre said there really was only one proposition before the meeting, were those present to go on with the business or not.

Mr, r \lh 3 suggested that the meeting should be a public meeting, and that ladies be specially invited. Mr. Carter considered that the business should be proceeded with; surely they did not want to show up New Plymouth and expose its apathy in a matter of this sort-. Mr. Clarke contended that the poor attendance and dilatoriness should be exposed. The local people wanted stirring up, as they would not pull together. It wa= disgraceful to think how much work had been thrown on the shoulders of the Mayoress in connection with patriotic affairs. It was no good beating about the bush; the apathy of the townspeople needed exposure. He moved that the meeting adjourn for a fortnight, and that ladies be specially invited to attend ai the future date. Mr. O. N. Firth seconded this amendment. Mr. T, C. List, while agreeing with previous speakers that the attendance was disgraceful, did not agree to postponement. The meeting had been advertised and due publicity bad been given it in both daily papers, and he could not see that a larger attendance would result by putting off tlie meeting. Rev. A. H. Colvile said that it was time to "cut the talk" and arrive at some decision. They had been there for over an hour in profitless discussion. It was no good attempting to "dragoon" the people. Mr. W. Ambury said that it wnsVident New Plymouth people were a funny lot. Those present were not there to abliße the town or cry over spilt milk. If the people were approached in the right way there would soon be a crowd at any meeting., Mr. Clarke's amendment for an adjournment was then put and declared carried, and the meeting concluded.