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Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1916, Page 5

ami it was felt that the money was specifically raised tor our men at the front. Mr. C. Evllringer seconded the adoption of the report, and in doing so impressed upon the meeting the urgent needs of the men in the firing line, and the importance of all the money possible being devoted to the alleviation of their sufferings. He mentioned that the Ngamotu Improvement Society puTposed devoting a day in January to the assistance of the wounded soldiers, Mr. MeLeod disapproved of the committee s recommendation, on the groimd that the money was raised for the comforts of soldiers at the front. The keep, ing of a large sum of moeny in New Plymouth for several months would militate against 'further efforts that might be made to raise funds. He tonsidcred' that the whole sum should have been forwarded to the front, and that the Salvation Army should be entrusted with administering a certain amount of the money. Mr. A. B. Gibson made an appeal on behalf of the Red Cross >Soeiety and reminded those present that members of that organisation had taken an aetive part in the Comforts Week Campaign. He questioned the wisdom of the committee in recommending ■ that the Women's Patriotic League be entrusted with the administration of so large a sum, considering that the Patriotic Committee should administer the money. At present the Women's Patriotic Committee had a very capable head, but no one knew when the sersonnel of the committe might be altered.

Mr. .T, E. Wilson said there seemed to be some misunderstanding as to what object, it was primarily intended that the proceeds of the Comforts Week Campaign should be devoted. He had understood that provision was to have been made for the comforts of soldiers while they were in New Zealand. He did not approve of the committee's recommendation to hand the balance of the money raised to the Women's 'Patriotic League. Wounded soldiers in Kngland, his ."aid, were being well cared for by the New Zealand War Contingents' Association, which was receiving from New Zealand .€3OOO [»er month, lie thought reasonable provision should be made for giving comforts to men in camp.

Mr. D. J. Hughes supported the com' niittee's action.

Mr. W. •). Chancy said the Comforts Wee!; Campaign was inaugurated for the purpose of providing comforts to New Zealand soldiers generally. Mr. J. R. Hill agreed with Mr.

Hughes, Mr. T. 0. List urged that tne Women's Patriotic Committee should bo entrusted with the administration of the money. The ladies, he said, had not in the past received that consideration lit which they were entitled. (Members: Hear,, hear!) They had been the backhone of the patriotic work of the town. The Patriotic Committee should show its confidence in the ladies by giving them the administration of the money, instead of haggling over the apportionment of the funds. Mr. ,1. Clarke mentioned tha: the Tobacco Fund was Eteadily increasing. The fact that the ladies would have money voted to them by the 'Patriotic Committee ■ for comforts at the front would enable, them to divert more of their own funds to the provision of comforts to .su'.dlers in camp. Mr. Carter suul the. sol Her* at Samoa and Mesopotamia had not been overlooked. Mr. Mcl-eod moved, as an amendment, and Mr. Pator. seconded—"That the report he adopted, provided £oOQ is allocated to the Y.M.C.A." On a division being called, the amendment was lost, and the motion tlmt the report be adopted was carried.