WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1918, Page 3

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, July 10. The Taranaki War Relief Association met at Stratford yesterday. Present: Messrs W. P. Kirkwood (in the chair), W. Chaney (New Plymouth), \V. Peroival (Inglewood), J. O'Brien (Egmont), F. W. Atkinson (North Taranaki), H. L. Spratt (Returned Soldiers), E. AWasher (Fanners'-Union), H. Mills (Hawera), and T. B. Crump (Eltham). Mr. Spratt again brought up the question of "domicile," contending that in granting loans to returned soldiers they should disregard the question of domicile. A man who enlisted elsewhere and then, on his return, settled in Taranaki should receive some consideration and assistance from the local association. Recently, at Kaponga, it had been stated that local men could get advances, whereas others from outside districts were precluded.' Since the last meeting he had gone into the matter, and found that the association's money was going at an extraordinary pace. In March, 1917, £llOO washout on loan, and now £10,716 was out, and further applications for £2400 received. The funds showed that £45,000 only was available, and at the present rate this would be washed out in four years. " Either the association must decrease the grants or secure further assistance. Under these circumstances, he thought it best for him to withdraw his motion. The chairman said, personally, he would like to see the grants increased. If possible, he would prefer having all the funds pooled, and all cases met, no matter from what district- He approved of the principle, but believed it unworkable. The subject then dropped. Regarding loans on furniture, it was decided to arrange with insurance companies to pay the premiums in case of policyholders failing so to do, and to charge the amount against loan accounts. Mr. Kirkwood reported that the advisory board had adopted remits, excepting one clause regarding settling soldiers on Crown lands. He also announced that telegraphic facilities had been withdrawn from patriotic associations, and the advisory board had set up a committee to consult the Minister on the matter- The withdrawal appeared to be because little use was made of the privilege. A request for a grant towards purchasing a house by a soldier now residing in the Manawatu district was favorably received, and the Emergency Committee instructed to deal with same up to £3O. An application for extension of time in payment of first principal of £SO wa3 extended to six months, and one loan of £430 and two of £4OO granted on the usual conditions. In reply to the association, the Government announced that the grant of £5 5s for clothing to soldiers commenced on June 1, but that the Government had cut out the great coat and one suit.— The association decided to discontinue the clothing grant, but in necessitous cases would allow £5 to purchase coat, boots, and hat Mr. Spratt drew attention to the widowed mothers' separation allowance. At present a widow receiving 15s a week was prevented from claiming Is 6d a day for each child, tat if receiving up fro 14g 6d, according to the regulations she could secure payment for children.— Resolved that committees should coneider the question and bring forward a remit. The secretary reported that the bank balance at July 1 stood at £S3 2s 4d and Post Office Savings Sank £12,802 10s 2d> receipt's totalled £133 3s 2d. The employment register showed that there were eight now on the list. There was increasing difficulty in placing the bulk of the men who are now applying for assistance. These men are all in indifferent health, and are endeavoring to i secure light work. There is a decided shortage in this class of work suitable to these cases- Added to these difficulties is the fact that the only light work offering in this district requires a man of average education, and, unfortunately, a number of the men are not up t6 the educational standard.—Received without discussion.