TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1919, Page 3

TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. j The monthly meeting of the Taranaki War Belief Association was held at Stratford yesterday, when there were present: Messrs Kirkwood (ehiiirman), T. B. Crump. (Eltham), C. E. Bellringer (New Plymouth), E, A. Washer (farmers' Union), Sutherland (lnglewood), Stevenson (Manaia), Mills (Hawera), Patterson (R.S.A.), 1). Tosland (County of lnglewood), and Iluse (North Taranaki). The chairman suggested that in order that members may be given an opportunity to peruse the correspondence and minutes of local committees before the monthly meetings a duplicator be purchased and copies of the minutes, etc., be sent to each delegate. It would save the necessity for reading the minutes, and they would not only save time but would be better informed on matters to come before the meeting.—lt was decided to carry out the chairman's suggestion. The secretary (Mr. Power) reported that the bank balance on the 9th inst. was £l2l Gs Sd; post office savings bank £4013 10s 4d, and the receipts for the month £1241 4s 2d. Mr. Crump, in referring to one application, said that the applicant had complained that his case had been reported in such a way in. the press that there could be no doubt as to his personality. He (Mr. Crump) did not think there was anything in the complaint. The press reports had invariably been discreet and most excellent. The chairman and other members agreed with this. Tn reply to the chairman it was stated by the various delegates that the number of disabled men in the different districts were as fellows: Eltham S, Hawera I*2, lnglewood 12 to 14, Manaia G, New Plymouth 9 or 10, North Taranaki 12 to 15, Stratford 14. The question of whether resolutions should be passed at the conference with General Richardson was discussed. The chairman said they wanted to receive some guidance from the disabled men and the U.S.A. This could be given by means of resolutions passed at the meetMr. Mills ■thought that a general discussion in the first place was what was wanted. This, of course, might lead to something concrete. The meeting should be thrown open to discussion without the necessity for a motion. Mr. Rellringcr said much would depend on General Richardson, who had considerable experience in dealing with disabled soldiers. After hearing him they would, no doubt, have something iV*t!Mte before them. The chairman said they were more likrl- to cret- a helpful discussion by having definite motions before the meeting. Tlie association would not, of course, be bound by any resolution that might be passed. Mr. Bellringer: That is the difficulty. Thev may think that we arc bound. The chairman moved that the conference between |the disabled men, the ps A (leneral Richardson, and the association be held on August 22, and that R.S.A. committees be informed that the association invited resolutions oE recommendation. Mr. Sutherland seconded the motion, which was cariml. fm Ihe motion of Mr. Bellringer, seconded by Mr. Crump, the ararngements for the conference were left in the hands I of the Stratford committee. The chairman said he had proposed at the last meeting that they should set tin six new scholarships.—Replying to a question the chairman said the scholarships were worth £3O each. Mr. Washer said Hie New Plymouth Fliah School Board had agreed to give the same subside' as last year, The chairman moved that six scholarships be granted during the coming year. Asked if, in the event of there being ten anol'cants, would the scholarships be granted so that they would be spread over the different districts, the chairman said that this rule could not be followed; they would be awarded according to merit. Mr. Bellringer seconded the motion, whioli was carried. It was agreed that each scholarship should not exceed £SO. An application for-a grant for furniture by a single man was held over in conformity with the principle laid down that no such" grants be made excepting to married men. The case of a returned soldier who had incurred dental charges to the amount of £lO 10s, which amount had been paid by the association, was discussed. It was pointed out that the man was entitled to dental attention by the Defence Department, and though application had been made he could never get a hearing.—lt was decided to apply to the Department for a refund of the amount. tin an application being made for a loan of £75 for furniture and a grant of. £25 the chairman said they should adhere to their former decision. If they made a grant they should not make a !""n and for the latter should refer the applicant to the Repatriation Board. It wJis decided to carry out the chair-

man's suggestion and make a grant of | £25, the applicant to be advised to ap- ! ply to the Repatriation ißoard for at ' loan. Jn the case of another application for £4O for furniture it was decided to grant the application, but it was laid down that in all eases of loans for furniture application should be made to the Repatriation Board. An application for a grant of £2O was refused, on the ground that grants were not made to fit men. The Eltham Women's Sewing Guild forwarded a cheque for £172 14s. — Amount received with thanks. An offer of 55 war bonds of a value of £lO each for £485 was received from a returned soldier. The offer was accepted, it having been pointed out that by purchasing the association Would have a good investment and would at the same time be assisting a returned soldier. M.r Bellringer moved that the chairmen o'f Repatriation Committees be invited to attend the conference with General Richardson.—Carried. It was also decided to hold a special general meeting of the association on the 22nd, the day of the conference. Mr. Crump asked if the RJ3.A. could supply any statistics showing the number of men who had gone to the front, the number who had returned, and the number yet to return. The chairman said that an effort had been made to get these statistics from the Government, but without success. Mr. Washer said it was very necessary for them to knew how many of | the different classes of men were "to re- ! turn, otherwise they would not know how long they could continue their fur--1 niture loan policy. The secretary said he had endeavored ; to get a copy of the embarkation roll, and had been informed that the Department could not supply one. | The secretary was asked to make a further effort to obtain a roll.