TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 January 1918, Page 3

TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

monthly minting. Stratford, Jan. !). The monthly meeting of delegates of tin* Taranaki War Relict' Association was held to-day. Present: Mes-srs W. I*. Kirkwood (Stratford) in the, chair, li. Uellringer (New Plymouth), J. Stevenson (Maniiia),' W. I', Percival (liiglowood), T. B. Crump (Eltliam), H." L. Spratt (Returned Soldiers), 11. Mills (Havvera), R. Dunn (Farmers' Union). The Eltliam Committee advised that tliey had remitted .£2O direct 011 behalf of the Mounted men in Palestine. The following amounts were agreed upon: New Plymouth, Ilawera, Stratford, North Taranaki £ls each, Manaia, Patca. and lnglewood .CIO each. Kltham's assessment of .€lO was cancelled on account of the committee having forwarded £2O, and £9O remitted through the Hank of New Zealand on December 17. The matter of having a reasonable clothing allowance was briefly discussed. jThe Returned Soldieis' Association fov- , warded letter requesting support of their resolution in endeavoring to get the allowance raised to .£5. The Wairarapa Association stated that they were not entertaining applications for clothes except in necessitous eases.—The Association was in favor of a larger grant being made, and a resolution to that effect is to be referred to the advisory board for favorable consideration.

Regarding treating small loans as grants, it was resolved that amounts of £ls and £lO advanced to soldiers in the province be writte\ ofl.

The question of forming a scheme for placing loans to returned soldiers on a more permanent basis was reviewed at length. The secretary submitted a list of payments made to returned soldiers, and gave comparisons of amounts granted in previous years.—Mr. Mills said it. was generally recognised that the Association was trying to do its test, but some believed it was tying up too much monev. and thought more, liberal grants should he made to applicants for assistance. He realised that there was a possible chance of the association requiring larger grants, but, thought it might make payments up to certain amounts each year. The Government was making more adequate payments, and this should relieve the Association of anxiety in the (future. —Mr. Bellringer said that as far '.is they could go thev should relieve the men and widows, but they must not tie themselves down to nnv hard'and fast policy. What they had to look to was lo see that they did not run out of funds, so that those who returned later would receive equal consideration.—Mr. Crump moved that consideration of the scheme be held over till delegates had placed the matter before their commitfees, and report to next meetin" Carried.

The secretary reported the post office a-ount at £»357 2s 4,1, and at the bank '.'."hi" 7s 2d. Amounts received during the month totalled .Cl-1.1 2s 3d. The employment, department had four men awaiting employment, two in Eltham and one eac!| in New Plymouth and lnglewood.

Amounts of -C1 oO cadi granted to two soldiers fo purehrsp businesses in Taramiki wo reported to have born completed under the usual terms.

Tlie Tariki Patriotic Teqnested the Asp Delation to a sutisfaetorv explanation a< lo the sons of alien-born parents b-'ing discharged from eamp. Mr, Bcllrintror said there was a pood Seal of feeling over the matter. "The aliens were glad to see the men svhig to t!ie front, wailst their own sou? were remaining behind and enjoying the prh'ileges. having a jolly good' time. .. r '_ Crump said it was a, serious position. but eould p.iig!rest nothing. Mr. Dunn said they should n-ake representations to the Oovprnmcni. Feelin? was bein£ aroused at the land being taken up by the aliens, whilst others were being sent to the front.

Mi. Spratt said that if the (lovern* ment could do something in the matter the ''boys" would he vcrv pleased. Probably the Defence authorities did not care to take the risk of liaving soldiers of German extraction in the ranks, as although thev may find some loval. there was a possibility of taking a wroiiz one. Mr. TSellrinirer said there were people in New Plymouth who wr? setting very sore on (he matter. There was a '•'nest" «f aliens around Tn<rlewood who were nrousinp the ire of the people. Mr. Crump thought that Ivy keenin" the farms occupied the fiovernmcnt was probablv »ettin<r (he bast results. It was ja very difficult* position. Mr. Dunn agreed wiili Mr. Rellringer that it was not desirable t!;at the aliens «hould receive the best of privileges, and Ihe thought somefhine should he done. He moved that the Tariki committee's letter be referred to the Advisory Hoard for the rules regarding the discharge of <>rmsns from the forces.—Carried. After transacting other business of minor importance the meeting closed.