WAR RELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1922, Page 6

WAR RELIEF.

THE TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. THE ANNUAL MEETING. OPERATIONS REVIEWED. The sixth annual meeting of the Taranaki Provincial War Relief Association w’as held at Stratford yesterday. Present: Messrs. F. Mills (Hawera), W. J. Chaney, C. E. Bellringer (New Plymouth), F. W. Atkinson, F. C. G. Huse (North Taranaki), A. E. Washer (Farmers' Union). J. F. Stevenson (Manaia), G. Young (Inglewood), H. B. Burdekin (N.Z.R.S.A.), E. H. Young, J. S. Tosland (Egmont County). Apologias were received from Messrs. W. P. Kirkwood, and C. A. Larcombe. In the absence of Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, Mr. F. Mills was temporarily ap■pointed to the chair. The annual report stated, inter alia: The matter of making some contribution to the special fund for blinded soldiers received further consideration during the year, \yhen the executive resolved that no action could be taken until such time as all cases under the association’s permanently disabled soldiers’ scheme had been disposed of. The executive is heartily in sympathy with the scheme, but realises that disabled [soldiers in Taranaki must have first consideration.

Although the accounts would indicate that very little had been done in connection with the permanently disabled soldiers’ scheme, such is not the case. It is gratifying to note that during the past twelve months 216 cases have been dealt with. The number of original applications to be finalised by way of further medical examination nas been reduced to 28, of which 17 are still in hospital. 11 cases are at present in correspondence, and forty-four late applications have been noted. In addition to the above there are 16d cases, of which 78 are 40 per cent, to 10.) per cent., which hafe been completed as to medical examination. The last payment on account, being 50 per cent, of the grant in cases 40 per cent, to 100 per cent., was made on December JI, 1920, and this absorbed all available funds for a future period of six months, due to the fact that over that period there was a very small percentage of loan-: to soldiers and investments falling due. CONSERVING FUNDS. With a view to preserving and conserving all available funds for the benefit of seriously permanently disabled soldiers, the executive committee have instituted every reasonable economy, with the result that early in the year notification was forwarded to all other war relief associations requesting that they make no grants on behalf of this association, without our authority for such grant being first obtained. Satisfactory replies were received -from all associations, indicating that they would co-operate with us in connection with this matter. As a result of the special effort made by the New Zealand wool-growers, their acknowledgement of the services of the British seamen in H.M. Royal Navy and the mercantile marine, resulted in a very substantial fund of approximately £lBO.OOO being brought into existence, and in connection with this fund the executive has received notification requesting assistance and co-operation in bringing under the notice of the board cases of necessity in connection with British seamen entitled to assistance. The executive committee has pleasure in reporting that matters which have been referred to the board have received very fair and satisfactory' consideration.

The National War Funds Council now have control of a substantial fund. In August, 1921, a remit was forwarded to the Advisory Board urging that the time had arrived when the funds under the control of the National War Funds Council should be administered. The matter received consideration at a meeting of the Advisory Board, when it was pleasing to note that the necessary legislation in connection with the organising and administration machinery clauses were well in hand, with the result that by December finality was reached, and notification was received from the council intimating that they were dealing with applications ana undertaking to refund up to £5, and stating that with special applications dealt with on behalf o-f the council by other associations in respect of amounts in excess of £5, must be submitted to the council covered by the necessary recommendation. Up to the present there has been no necessity for the executive committee to make recommendations in connection with applicants for assistance from this fund. LITTLE CASH ASSISTANCE. The revenue account discloses that during the past twelve months very little cash assistance has been granted, -which is due to the fact that payment's are now practically confined to permanently disabled soldiers. It is, however, pleasing to note that the bank overdraft, which, at March 31, 1921, stood at £13,086 14s 9d, and as at March 31, 1922. at £lBBB 4s 7d, has now been placed in cerdit by Government securities falling due earfy in April. The executive committee desire to again place on record the association’s hearty appreciation of all Government departments, war relief associations, and other persons who have assisted in connection with the operations of this association during the past year. Mr. Mills, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, referred with regret to the absence of the chairman. As far as the association was concerned, the work of the executive had been light, but the emergency committee had done a considerable amount of work which should meet with appreciation. The lack of work for the executive was due to the fact that the P.D.S. scheme had been carried well forward, but the Government have refused to make any further grants. The Government should have lodged their objections earlier, before the association had gone so far. The report and balance-sheet, with slight amendment, were adopted. THE P.D.S. SCHEME. Regarding the negotiations with the Department of Internal Affairs in relation to the P.D.S. scheme, correspondence was read showing that no definite progress had been made. The secretary said the departiaeafs

chief objection to the scheme was that the association was making grants outside the scope of its funds. This, the secretary said, had. bedn disproved. It was suggested that the members of Parliament for Taranaki should be urged to press for some finality . On the motion of Mr. C. E. Bellringer it was decided to delegate Mr. Burdekin to meet the Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington with regard to the matter, the emergency committee to later take such steps as they deem ■necessary. On the motion of Mr. Chaney a. vote of appreciation was accorded Mr. W. P. Kirkwood (chairman) for his services in connection with the association, both the mover and the acting-chairman speaking felicitously of the chairman’s association with them. Votes of thanks were also accorded the executive, the emergency and finance committees, the hon. solicitor (Mr. T. C. Fookes) and the Press. Mr. Huse referred appreciatively, on behalf of the returned soldiers, to the work the association had done for the returned men. OFFICERS ELECTED. At a subsequent meeting of the executive the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Chairman. Mr. W. P. Kirkwood (re-elected); deputychairman, Mr. E. H. Young; hon. treasi urer, Mr. G. Young; finance committee, I Messrs. W. P. Kirkwood, Geo. Young, ; and H. B. Burdekin; emergency committee, Messrs. E. H. Young, F. W. Atkinson and F. Mills; delegate to the Advisory Board of the New Zealand Federation of Patriotic War Relief Associations, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood.