PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1918, Page 6

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MEETING, The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth committee was held last night Mr. AV. J. Chaney (deputy-chairman) presided, and there were also present: Ven, Archdeacon Evans, Messrs C. 12. Bellringer, C. Sadler, J. R. Hill, J. Palon (treasurer), and L. M. Monteath (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from his Worship the Mayor (Mr- C. H. Burgess) and Mrs. Burgess, Ulso Mr. W. A. Collis.

A copy of a circular letter from the Department of Internal Affairs* was received, calling attention to the necessity for ensuring that all funds for which public contributions were solicited should have tha approval of the Minister; also, that money for comforts for men should be sent to the "officer, chaplain, or matron in cliarge" at bases, and not to particular individuals. Lieutenant Hector Atkins, N.Z.R 8., mole from the Waikato Sanatorium on behalf of the Taranaki men, asking if the committee could donate some small yt'tits for competition amongst the men in the institution in connection with card and billiard tournaments, etc-, organised to pass away what will otherwise be dreary evenings.—It was decided to spend the sum of £5 in the purchase of prizes as requested. The secretary of the War Relief Association wrote to the effect that the executive had resolved that local 'branches (where public hospitals are situated in their district), on the recommendation from the matron of tlio hospital, may draw on their wounded soldiers' fund "imprest account," for the supply of a reasonable quantity of tobacco and other delicacies for the benefit of soldier patients, irrespective of the question of domicile in individual eases.

Members expressed their appreciation of the efforts of Mr. Bellringer in assisting to secure the concession. F. Korris, hon. organiser of the Nation?.! Service League, wrote stating that at a public meeting held at Masterton it bad been resolved to advocate the starting of memorial workshops in New Zealand, after the style of the Lord Roberts' workshops 1* England Tiie resolution, to which the society was asked to subscribe, was addressed to the Efficiency Board, and read as follows:—"We request that your committee will undertake and arrange for the establishment of four memorial workshops in New Zealand as a national tribute to the memory of the brave men of this country, whose lives have been sacrificed in the world's war, the object being to provide training and permanent work for our di=abled soldiers, after the manner of the Lord Roberts' workshops in England." The committee discussed the matter, and ajrreed that it was the duty of the Government to take the initial steps in such a matter. The letter was, therefore, received.