PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1917, Page 7

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MKETIXG. . The usual meeting of tho New Ply'mouth Patriotic Committee ms held on Tuesday night, there being present:— Jfessrs C. H. Burgess (Mayor, in the chair), W. J. Chaney (deputy chairman), A. B. Gibson, G. Sadler, 0. E. Boilringer, C. Carter, J. B. Hil\. J. Paten (treasurer), and L. if. Monteitli (secretary).

LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS. The Wairarapa Patriotic Association forwarded copy of a resolution urging the Government to immediately provide improved land for returned soldier-.i, as it was an injustice to expect all returned men to take unimproved and bush land alter the hardship and sacrifice they have already made. If suitable land was not offered lor purchase voluntarily, the executive recommended that a war regulation ibe gazetted providing that private estates should be placed in several classes, the highest class to consist of properties that are valued at above a, certain capital value. From each of these cstat.is Bhould be taken sufficient' to reduca them to the second value. If that did not produco sufficient land), they should proceed in the samo manner 'with the second class, and so on. AH properties should be considered as a whole, unless tho owner or his Ibona fide manager resided on the portion held in his hauie. After soldiers' requirements, were met, any balance of land was to be made available for settlement by other suitable men. Tho land taken was to be paid for by Government debenture, and the price paid to bo a fair value in the vicinity of tho value existing before the declaration of the war. On tho motion of Messrs Carter and Paton, it was resolved, that this meeting affirms the desirability of the Government acquiring good land for. the returned aoMicM to settle on. V ''"' NATIONAL ROUMANIAN MMEK , FUND, " '

a circular letter was received from tile National Roumanian Relief 'Fund, asldng for donations for the fund, which had been opened to present field hospitals, motor ambulances, etc., to Eer Majesty Queen Marie of Roumanla, in order to mark this country's appreciation of the no.blo step talcen by our new On the motion oi the Mayor and the deputy chairman, it waa resolved to refer the appeal to the Red Cross Society, and the Women's Patriotic Committee for their favorable consideration. THE MOUNTAIN; HOUSE, | The' committee appointed in connection with the proposal to make an occasional trip to the Mountain House cottage available for returned soldiers, reported that a number of applications had been made by returned soldiers to visit the house. It was stated that the local society would arrange to send any men not medically discharged, if their medical adviser considered they; would benefit by the trip. The Mayor stated that a discharged man showing good reawn for a visit to the Mountain House would be granted relief (by the War Relief Association, _. ' i GENERAL. ;. • ' > • It waa resolved to ask tkß Ways and Means Committee to bring down a ieport as to the best means of providing funds to carry on local war relief work during the ensuing; yetfr.

The Taranaki Provincial War Belief Association notified that on the local* committee's application a loan of £IOO had been granted: to a returned' soldier to enable him to keep Oils firm going. sie Mayor was appointed the society's representative ca tie Taranaki Provincial War Relief and Mr W. J. Clmney, deputy chairman, was appointed delegate to the annual meeting,, which is to, be held at Stratford on Mar 23.

Mr C. E. Sadler brought up the case of a.railway surfaceman who had voluntarily enlisted and passed the doctor, but was unable to obtain leave, and had to resign his position. It was resolved to obtain tho necessary particulars, and If the case is as shown, representations will be made with a view to removing the hardships.

It was resolved to send tha scout commander a letter of thanks; in appreciation of the valuable work done oy'the Boy Scouts in clearing the Coronation Hall after the ceremony on Monday.