WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 69, 21 March 1919, Page 6

WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

CF.NKRAI. MEETINI'. A special general meeting of tne Auckland Women's Patriotic League was held in the Council Chamber thia morning. There was a good gathering of member-, and the president, Mrs. Gunson. was in the chair. Messrs. S. Milne. J. K. Ewen. and A. Donald were also present. Great interest was shown as not only every seat on the lloor ot the Chamber was full of members, but .i!.-o the zallery was crowded with memliera and others interested. The president. Mrs. Gunson. in her opening remarks, referred to tho history of the Women's Patriotic League, and stated that it had had a great measure of sue-

cesii The sick man had been their fir-t rare, and then the gifts for the men in the field and the regimental funds. The

executive had met together and decided that they provide a re-idential home for soldiers. She wished to move the following' resolution:—"That the Women's Patriotic League provide a suitable residential Soldiers' Club building, subject to approved terms an.i conditions, the chief of which would be tho provision o! a site and satisfactory arrangements for management, trusteeship, and ultimate disposal. Mrs. F. Raume seconded the motion, and explained that the Dominion Gift had about £'20.000 to do something with for the boys, and the executive was convinced that a residential club was needed for the men who were returning, the men who would be partially disabled, and who would be in receipt of smaller wages; v-et would not like charity. Mrs. Overton Smith also spoke in favour. The men were coining back very rapidly and were without home-. 'It was for this reason she had been converted to the proposal. Mr. A. Donald, representing the Soldiers' Association, in response to a request from the president, explained that, next month 80(H) were coming back, and it would be a big problem to put them back into civil life. He had come to see! during the last twelve months that a 1 club was absolutely necessary.

.Mrs. Murdoch Maclean inquired if the contributors bail been consulted upon the subject, and suggested that tlie subject be held in abeyance for further public discussion, as many people were not fully aware of the proposal.

Mrs. Gunson explained that the largest contributors had all agreed to the proposal. Mrs. Bellamy inquired if all the money would be spent on the club, and whether anything wa* being reserved for the sick men and their dependents. Mrs. Ganson explained that there was* money being held for this purpose. Mr. S. Milne explained that the proposal h:i_. been approved by the main Patriotic Association, and that three of the largest subscribers had replied that as the men's association agreed they also agreed to whatever the Women's League approve I. The resolution was then put and carried. It was further moved by Mrs. (funson and seconded by Mrs. Benjamin that the executive be given power to act in all matters concerning the proposed soldiers' club. This was carried. and * the special meeting terminated.