WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1917, Page 3

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. Stratford, Oct. 10. Tlio monthly meeting of delegates of tlie Taranaki War Relief Association was held this morning. Present: Messrs H. P. Kirkwood (chairman), W. J. Chancy (New Plymouth), T. B. Crump (Eltham), f. W. Atkinson (North Taranaki), W. Percival (Inglewood), G. Larcomb (Patea), and T. McPhillips (Manaia). An application was made for a small loan to procure a horse and cart, household utensils, and a grant to pay medical expenses. Applicant, who had been turned down as unfit by two doctors, was called up in th e ballot, and then left the camp in a broken state of health. Practically no compensation had been made, and he is now endeavoring to re-establish his home.

Mr. McPhillips said this was a ease which called for general sympathy. The man had been turned down when volunteering, and had then married. Being called up in the ballot and passing the examination lie sold up his home. In camp he Broke down in the training, and was released. He recognised that this was hardly a case for the Patriotic Societies, and thought the Government should do something^to Telieve the applicant's position. He moved that the matter be v held over until the Financial Board had made a more thereanent, and that a communication be sent to applicant to that effect.—Carried.

Consideration was resumed of the Marlborough Association's scheme for the repatriation of soldiers. Mr. Atkinson stated that his committee urged the desirability of impressing on the Government the urgent need to train men to enable them to take up duties that will provide a living wage. Marlborough's main plank was to place the men on the land, but there were several other channels that may be made use o?. He suggested research in the chemical properties of vegetation, with a view to securing the production of dyes, etc. Mr. Kirkwood said it looked as if the Government was endeavoring to do nothing more than it was absolutely forced to do. He approved of the Marlborough scheme generally, and thought the Association might approve of the principle and leave the completion of. details to the Advisory Board.

Other delegates expressed approval of the scheme, and the following motion by Mr. Percival was carried: "The executive of this Association approves of the general principle involved in the Marlborough scheme, but considers it desirable to impress on the Government the desirability of formulating some scheme for the training of returned soldiers, in order that they may be fitted to take up remunerative employment in suitable industries, farming and otherwise, and that the representatives of the Association on the advisory board be authorised to support any scheme having this object in view." Some discussion ensued regarding the question of legal ch»rges in connection with grants t<» returned soldiers. The matter was introduced by Mr. Larcombe, who thought that a uniform charge should be made. The Patea. committee recognised that the payments have to be made, and those whose services were required in this direction should bo recompensed. The association should endeavor to have a scale of rates and adhere to same. He also thought in some instances a surcharge of 1 per cent, was being made, which might be avoided. Mr. McPhillips was in accord with tha suggestion.

Mr Crump stated that there was a scale rat* for Taranaki, which was adhered to He mentioned that the solicitors had suffered as much as other professions through the war, and were only charging a reasonable rate to soldiers and others in need of their services in this direction. Regarding Mr. Larcombe's complaint he gave two items that swallowed up £l2 of the total charges. The chairman said he regarded this as a matter for the different societies and for the association. The subject was then dropped. The secretary reported that the bank balance on October 5 was £545 Is 7d; in Post Office Savings Bank, £9057 2s 4d; receipts during the month, £444 10s 3d. including £252 5s 3d and £SO from the Patea and Hawera committees. £3OOO had been placed on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand, and war loan certificates to the value of £IOOO applied for.

The relief granted for the quarter ended September 20, less refunds, totalled £155 l-2s lOd, and the outstanding advances to soldiers by way of loans, less repayments, were £4950. Two applications, one for £SOO and the second for £i'ofi, were granted. A third applicant for a grant/ of £SO to purchase and buy stores was also favorably received, the time for repayment being three years, the first twelve months free of interest.

Regarding having returned soldiers on the association, after a little discussion it was decided to allow one delegate at the deliberations to represent the Returned Soldiers' Association.