WAR RELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1917, Page 3

WAR RELIEF.

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. The usual monthly meeting of the Taranaki War Relief Association was held at Stratford yesterday. Present: Messrs W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford) chairman, R. Dunn (Farmers' Union), C. E. Bellringer (New Plymouth), W. E. Percival (Inglewood), Stevenson (Manaia), Larcombe (Patea), Atkinson (Waitara). The Sjtratford Patriotic Committee Was notified that .the association agreed with the principal of payment of secretaries, but also that it had no control over funds other than the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The Hawera committee was also notified that the executive canrot authorise the appointment of a paid secretary. * The Manaia and Patea committees were instructed to make necessary arrangements for getting in unauthorised trustee securities and remitting same to the association. The Wairarapa Association's resolution regarding soldiers on the land was approved by the association. It was considered that matters of detail should be left over until the meeting of the Advisory Board. Adjutant A. E. Hosking, Wellington, waited on the association regarding an appeal for funds made by the Salvation Army for the erection of 'a hostel at Featherston. The cost of building would be about £IO,OOO, and other details would bring the total to £34,000. So far the amounts received had been very encouraging, wherever appeals had been made. The Salvation Army had 500 hostels at the front, and ( had a space granted them in Trafalgar Square. In building at Featherston the hostel would prove very acceptable to parents who desired to be in close communication with their sons whilst in camp. He thought Taranaki could very well make a grant of £2OOO. Mr. Kirkwood stated the request could be placed before the variou* committees, and the association would notify him of results in due course. The adjutant then thanked delegates for the courteous hearing, and withdrew. Later on the question was raised, and it was resolved that the Salvation Army should apply to the local patriotic com-' mittees, who would probably place the army on the same footing as the Y.M, C.A.' and the Red Cross. A returned soldier appealed to the association for relief. He had returned from the front, possessing £3O. After paying a deposit on a house and legal expenses ho found himself hampered through lack of funds.' He desired that the association should grant him assistance until he secured employment.— £3O was granted, Eltham committee to supervise. The secretary placed the following before the delegates:—Bank balance, £001; savings bank, 2s 4d; receipts acknowledged since April 10, £2730 2s lid. Returned Soldiers' Department Thee are only four men on the list for employment; 2 are waiting notification of Government appointments. Funds available for grants, etc. —(a) Grants by way of loans have been made amounting to £3185, of which £025 has yet to be paid to applicants. Of the sum granted, £17(1 (principal) has been repaid; £I9OO has 5 years to run, and, the balance 2 to 4y 3 years. Interest, where: charged, ranges from 4 to 5 per cent, (b) Funds immediately available for further grants, etc.—£24,871. The grants made (excepting small amounts of £lO to £4O) represent 9 applications and' range from £IOO to £soo.—Received. The Eltham Committee forwarded a letter of appreciation regarding the offer of Messrs Parkes Bros., of Kaponga, of an area of land to the Government, suitable for returned soldiers, and at a figure below valuations. North Taranaki and New Plymouth committees notified appointments of F. W. Atkinson and C. E. Bellringcr as their representatives. The New Zealand War Contingents Association acknowledged grant <>[ £2O in connection with a soldier "who has returned to England for special treatment. . The donation of £374 n« Id from the

Taranaki .Tockey Club (through the New Plymouth Committee) was acknowledged with thanks. Reports from delegates were received, and several cases of mothers and widows receiving assistance were reviewed. The question of holding an art union to build up funds was discussed. It was resolved that the matter be referred to the patriotic committees throughout the province, with the idea of holding a monster art union. The committee are to endeavor to get prizes of sections of land, dairy herds, sheep, etc. It, was felt that this would, if taken up by all committees, result in a substantial fund being secured for the War Association. Delegates would submit the matter to meetings of their committees. Applications granted at the last meeting totalled £2OOO, two-thirds of the as•scciation's funds, and an art union would prove of groat assistance, Mr. Bellringer believed direct appeals would receive symathetiic consideration, but be recognised that in view of increased taxation the art union idea would be preferable.