Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The Taranaki War Relief Association met at StrAtford yesterday. Present: -Messrs W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford, in the thair), T. B. Crump (Eltliam), F. Mills (Huwera), H. L. Spratt (Returned Soldiers), I<\ W. Atkinson (North Taranaki). E. A. Washer (Farmers' Union), W. E. Percival (Inglewood), and C. E. Bellringer (New Plymouth), B. W. J. M'Neill (Egmont), and J. Stevenson (Manaia), TARIKI ALIENS. The Tariki Patriotic Committee forwarded the following letter (a copy of one sent to Sir James Allen):—For'some time past a feeling of discontent and unrest has been very noticeable througnout Taranaki, especially in this district, at the action of male aliens. Many men of foreign parentage, called up by ballot (they generally refrained irom volunteering) have, after a short period in camp, been returned to their homes, and are now with their parents taking advantage of the compulsory enlistment of other settlers to secure all available sections of land in this province. This matter has been before the Tariki Patriotic Committee on several occasions. Besides up land here, the aliens, taking advantage of the scarcity of labor, are demanding up to 18s per day for field and other work. It Miouid also be remembered that by allowing these aliens to purchase the freehold there will be little land close to towns available for our soldier farmers wheti they return. At the last meeting of the committee, it was decided to draw the attention of the Acting-Premier to the fact that many aliens cf apparent physical fitness are being sent home from camp, and it was desirous something should be done to prevent these enemy aliens and parents buying up, in some instances over the heads of Britishers, land being placed on the market by conscripted men." The committee desired the association's 'support. Mr. Stevenson said he undwerstood that no land could be transferred to enemy aliens.

Mr. Bcllringer said he was in entire sympathy with the request. It was decidedly irksome to some farmers to find their son* taken from them by the military and others allowed to return. There had been a lot of feeling caused through this.

The chairman said it looked as if they wanted it left to Britishers, whereas we had valuable assistance from other nationalities.

In reply to Mr. Stevenson, the secretary stated that they had had something similar to this from Tariki previonsly, and the matter had been referred to the Advisorv Board

Mr. Bellringer said some people would not trust any enemy aliens. There were some young 'people who were naturalised, but their feelings were against us; in fact, more hostile than those of their parents. The chairman stated that- the matter of these men taking up land had already been referred to tlie Government. and a reply to that effect will be JOrwarded to the Tariki Committee.

GENERAL. Touching on the difficulty of placing men in suitable employment, Mr. Bellringer said it was tin fortunate- that there were a number of men who iiad returned but could not settle down to their former work. He did not blame the men altogether, as their health, in many instances, was impaired. The men were to be pitied, but it would bo serious if the Government did not make some move in doing something to build up the returned soldiers and make them fit to take up some calling.

A circular letter was read from Wellington desiring the association's support in an appeal on behalf of the Italian Red Cross, which would be held on September 20.—Received. A grant of £3 per week for one month was approved of to a soldier who had purchased a business ami required assistance.

The sum of £2OO was required By a soldier who had gone to a southern town and started business. He had received assistance from his father, but the expense had been more than anticipated, hence the request.—ft was pointed out that if the Tavanaki Association kept to the domicile rule, this could not be granted, and the request was refused.

A grant of £33 5s and a loan of £IOO was desired by a farmer. Applicant, who had a big family, had enlisted and then returned from the front. The .-£33 as was desired to pay rent, and this was the first appeal made by the man.—After a short discussion, it was decided to grant £33 us, but the loan was declined.

An application .for £SOO to assist a soldier to purchase \eows were referred back to the Patriotic Committee for further particulars. A similar aplieation from a South Taranaki man was granted.

The secretary stated that the bank balance on August 10 was £503 13s 3d. and at the post office £10,302 10s 2d. Thirteen men were requiring employment. Some, of the replies received from luese men wen? unsatisfactory. Host of them require lisht employment, and it was a difficult matter" to place them, the position in that respect having become very acute..

STATE OF ASSOCIATION'S FUNDS. Regarding the continuous applications for loans and grants, the chairman drew attention to the association's funds being greatly reduced. Each month saw a considerable increase in the applications. For instance, if they granted all loans applied for that day, they would require £4OOO. He thought the time had come when they might consider the question of balloting for loans, or a,*-/ would soon find they had not the money m hand to meet all applications. if the recommendations of the Finance' Committee were adopted, thev would have £2OOO for loans, and then would be finished.

Mr. Atkinson said the position should be made public, as some men had not yet applied, but made arrangements thmkuig they would obtain loans by applying.

Mr. Washer questioned whether the number of loans were smaller now than previously.

The chairman: No; the number of applications is increasing rather than decreasing.

Mr. M'Keill said that as long as ha was a member he would endeavor to look after the interests of the .returned Iwddier.

The chairman said the men were coming back fast now, and the funds ■»«» petering out.

Mr. Atkinson: We shall have to appeaj again—a sentiment echoed by other representatives.

A table of investments was submitted, showing that two sums of £3OOO on'fixed deposit, bearing interest at i per cent., were maturing on August 17, 1018, and February I<J, 1919; £11,603 inwar loan certificates, at 5 per cent., August 22, 1021; debentures £3OOO and £2500, at 5% per cent., maturing October 1, 1022, and March 1, 1923; £BOOO to Ilawera Borough at 4 per cent. Amount of loans taken up, less repayments, £9523.

After the luncheon adjournment, the chairman stated that the loans granted that day totalled £IBSO, whilst"others amounting to £I7OO had been deferred, making a total of £3550. He drew attention to the Finance Committee's recommendation to allocate £3OOO for loans and £2OOO on fixed deposits. With the addition of £3OOO added to the £12,000 already out, it meant they had £15,000 out on loan, and only £2OOO to come and go on.

Mr. Crump said he would like to see tJiem collect more data before deciding that they wore not justified in going above £15,000. He would like toknow exactly the number of men who went from Taranaki and returned, and would like more details respecting repayments from loans up to date. In reply to a query by Mr. Stevenson, the chairman said, in the eveiu or the war ending and men returning in large numbers and an amount of relief being needed, they could finance on their war loan and fixed deposits, ana probably on the borough securities. Mr. Bellringer voiced the opinion that those men who went with the'first forces were of a more adventurous spirit and that the men returning later would probably be more anxious to take up their ordinary occupations, and thus would not require so much assistance.

Mr. Atkinson forecasted a short but severe period of undoubted depression, and as long as the money was there to land, they would have applications for £IOO when they could only lend up to £lO. '

Mr. Spratt asked for information to guide local committees when applications were before them.

The chairman stated that they could accept and forward same to the War Association, but could cover themselves by saying they did not know Whether the applications would be grantee Mr. Atkinson: In the past the association has never turned down an application forwarded by the local committees. He wondered whether they should advise the public of the position that they could not entertain loans until they were able to build up tue loans again.

On the motion of Mr. Crump, the consideration of further applications for loan-i was deferred to next meeting, the Finance. Committee* to report iu' the meantime. Also, an intimation will be forwarded to local societies that present allocations for loans are practically exhausted, and that further applications should be considered on that basis.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19180815.2.13

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1918, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,490

TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION. Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1918, Page 3

TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION. Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1918, Page 3

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert