WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1917, Page 3

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

The monthly meeting was held at Stratford this morning. Present: Messrs K. Dunn (Auroa), J. W. McMillan (.Stratford), J. W. Wiiilield (Inglcwood), C. E. Bellringer (New Plymouth). I'. W. Atkinson (North Taranaki), I<\ \V. Mills (Hawera), If. L. Spratt (returned soldier), T. 13. Crump (Eltham). In the absence of the chairman (Mr. W. P. Kirkwood), Mr. Dunn was voted to the chair.

With respect to the repatriation scheme for returned soldiers, which has been outlined by the Marlborough Association, and lias been before the local association for some time, Mr. Kirkwood reported that the suggestions had been further referred to a meeting of returned soldiers and the Advisory Board, and the result of these deliberations would be made known in due course.

The matter of legal charges on loans to returned soldiers (a) whether same should be paid by the association and added to the advance, or (b) whether the amount applied for should be deemed to include sufficient to meet legal expenses, was held over. The Hawke's Bay Association stated that in consideration of the further advance of £2f>o by the Government to soldiers as Crown tenants, the association has now ceased making further advances to soldiers talcing up Crown lands.

. The Rev. R. B. Tinsloy, who has represented the Egmont County for some time, resigned his position as delegate. The resignation was accepted with regret.

The matter of the Countv of Egmont League's grant of .C">o to the base hospital in France, and making the remittance, so as to reduce the amount of their balance in hand to .650, was referred to the finance committee.

MEN IN EGYPT. ''

Lieut. W. R. Foley, on behalf of the men in Egypt, applied to tlie Mayors of Taranaki to assist them by makinw a grant of £.',o or £IOO to permit tiiem purchasing goods, tea, sugar, fruit, etc., for the men over and above the usual rations. The mounted men were having a trying time through hent, dust, flies and bad water. The Manawntu, Hawke's Bay, etc., squadrons were receiving these grants, and he hoped to see the men of i Taranaki receiving the same consideration, hence his appealing on behalf of the men of his squadron. The delegates were all favorable to the idea. Mr. Spratt, in replv to Mr. Atkinson, stated that the Y.M'C.A. was doing good work at the front, but he thought that the appeal might also receive their support. Mr. Bellringer thought they might issue copies of this letter to Vhe various patriotic committees with a recommendation for their favorable consideration A motion to this effect was then adopted. MOKE PUBLICITY WANTED. Mr. Spratt said there were many returned soldiers and others who desired that the workings of the association should be more generally made public. The impression prevailed that, it was a scmi-seeret organisation. He thought that more comprehensive details of the association's work should be given to the press. Mr. Bellringer said the New Plymouth patriotic committees and the War Belief Association at Stratford were well reported by the press. He considered they were receiving great assistance from the. press. It was'unfortunate that at times some of the most interesting discussions could not be reported. He was convinced the pressmen had not failed to keep the confidence of the association. Mr. Mills thought that because the papers did not publish much details some thought the association was not doing much, but the nature of much of the bussiness prevented the press giving too much publicity.

Mr. Atkinson thought the press had treated them very favorably. Mr. McMillan said, regarding his patriotic committee, that the chairman and secretary gave the press any news they worthy of publishing. Mr. Atkinson said it was a great question whether our policy was wron?. At times it looked that the bald statement was too vague.

The chairman said tliev recognised they could not have moncv standing idle, neither could they deal it out sums. They were' trying to help the returned soldiers and also attending to their dependents.

Mr. Bellnnger said they had published statements from time to time, but the trouble was they could not get a portion of the public to grasp these facts. Mr. Atkinson stated they were lending money at a lower rate of. interest than obtainable elsewhere, and were striving to do their best.

lne chairman said some believed the association had the money in hand, and that it should be divided un.

Mr. Bellringer: In some eases we have allowed soldiers to secure advances free of interest for the first year, and in only one or two cases had the association charged 5 per cent., and in these instances those applying weve in a fairly good financial position. Unfortunately it was said by some of the public that those controlling the funds were a lot of usurers, but delegates must not take too much notice of this talk.

Mr. Mills then moved: "That the chairman and secretary submit, quarterly reports of the work done hv the association, and that these be placed before the meetings and the press for publication." —Carried. OUT-OF-WORK MEN.

It was reported that there were ten men seeking re-employment. There was some difficulty in placing returned men in suitable employment', owing to some suffering from disabilities which render it necessary for light employment, to be given them. There appeared to be plenty of employment, but the general character was not light enough to meet the requirements of applicants. There was also a disinclination by some men even to notify that they have secured employment and under these circumstances they had to remove these names after a reasonable time.

It was suggested that the secretaries of the Returned Soldiers' Association at New 'Plymouth and Hawera should communicate with the association's secretary on these matters] and submit fortnightly reports as to the requirements arid wishes of men in this respect. The association was naxious to co-operate with the returned soldiers, and a motion to this eifeet was carried. GENERAL. The Advisory Board reported on the appeal on the appeal on behalf of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade re subscription to the regimental"funds. The Advisory Board had remitted £250, and a assessed the contribution of this associa: tion at £lf> 10s.—Received. The secretary reported that the money at the P.O. savings bank totalled £1)057 2s 4d, and the hank balance £473 13s 7d. Amounts received during the month: Repayment of loan, £fl K)s; Te Kiri Committee, £7O; Stratford Committee £3OO.