TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1919, Page 3

TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki War Relief Association was held at Stratford yesterday. Present: Misssvs Kirkwood (chairman), Bellringer, R. S. Sage, E. A. Washer, W. E. Percival, Stevenson, D. Tosland, and F. W. Atkinson. In reference to scholarships, Mr. Atkin- ! son stated that the High School Board's maximum was £4B. There war* iJirce terms at £l4 each and £G was added The association had provided for scholarships worth £SO, and he thought the allocation; as a matter of courtesy, should correspond with the amount allowed by the board, and should not exceed £4B. Mr. Bellringer suggested that the £2 be allowed for books. He moved that It be left with the chairman and Mr. Atkinson to recast the regulations governing scholarships bo as to bring them into line with the High School Board allowances.—Carried.

Later the conditions of the scholarships were amended to provide that the association grant up to six scholarships, the full fees to be paid up to an amount not exceeding £SO, with the exception of the two subsidised by the High School Board, which would be £24, with £8 out-of-pocket expenses f#r each. The chairman said that the association would receive periodical reports showing the progress made at school, and if proper advantage was not taken of the opportunities afforded the executive may take into consideration the cancellation of this scholarship. Mr. Sage suggested that there might be cases in which some form of technical education would be more advantageous than a high school education. The secretary was instructed to take the necessary steps to advertise for applications for the scholarships in the press throughout Taranaki, the applications to be in time for the November meeting. It was also decided to send copies of the conditions of the scholarships to Bchool committees, and, at the suggestion of Mr. Atkinson, it was agreed to accept applications subject to the applicants passing the Bixth standard at the December examinations.

The Wanganui Association wrote asking for support to a proposal that the power to grant loans for houses be transferred from the Land Board to the Repatriation Board and its committees.— The chairman said he was afraid the change would not hasten matters, as committees only had power to make recommendations. Mr. Stevenson said the experience of his committee was that the Land Board acted promptly, replies being usually received within three weeks. •

Mr. Bellringer said that his committee were, on the whole satisfied. Delays might occur a 9 a result of tie price asked being too high. The chairman said the Tarannki Land Board's hands had been very lull, but they had managed to get through their work remarkably well. It was decided, on the motion of Mr. Bellringer, seconded by Mr. Atkinson, to reply stating that their experience in Taranaki having been satisfactory, they could not support the proposed change. An extract from a stateme"t made to a press representative in Weuington by Mr. L. O. H. Tripp was read. Mr. Tripp said that in six or nine months the whole of the soldiers would be back, and when they had all returned he thought a conference should be held with a view to determining whether they could not come to an agreement about the disposal of patriotic funds, and whether something more could not be done for partially or permanently disabled soldiers and their dependents. The chairman said he had put the matter on the order paper just to show what was proposed in other centres. The Taranaki Association had its scheme, and was carrying it out. —It was left with the chairman to frame a reply and forward it to the Wellington Association. The secretary reported the financial position to be as follows: Bank balance on September 8 £249 7s 3d, P. 0.5.8 balance £2613 10a 4d, receipts from August" 13 to September 8 £2598 16s, (including withdrawals from Savings Bank amounting to £2OOO ) y In the caße of an application for a grant of £IOO for permanently disabled men, it was decided to defer consideration till all permanently disabled men, were being dealt withr.