THE MEMORIAL FUND.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14110, 1 August 1911, Page 8

THE MEMORIAL FUND.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Taylor Memorial Committee was held yesterday afternoon to decide unon what form the memorial should take. Mr J. J. Dougall, the Deputy-Mayor, presided. Mr Doucall said the conimitteo were issuing a circular. It had been suggested that they circularise by telegraph the whole of tho newspapers of the Dominion to open subscription list*. It was also proposed to circularise the Mayorj. of the different municipalities, and ask them to call public meetings on the subject. But in addition, they should obtain the services of organisations in different parts of tho counta-y, as some Mayors might be averse to calling meetings for the purpose, though they would not object to presiding at meetings and assisting in that way. He read a. letter from Mr O. T. J. Alpers, suggesting that the names of the subscribers be not published.' A good idea suggested was the issue and distribution cf twenty shiiling-cards, and also penny cards, the latter to be distributed amongst the school children. He felt confident a great many school children would be very keen to subscribe in this way

Mr J MeCombs, tho secretary, said it was proposed to send to the newspapers the whole of Mr Bishop's speech, and get them to open subscr.ptio". lists; also to got County Councils, Road Boards, etc. to open lists; also to get names of likely subscribers from the Key. J. Dawson, secretary of the New Zealand Alliance. He suggested that they isstie the shilling and penny cards, say, in a week's time after they had got in the larger amounts. ' Mr J. T. Forrester said he wished to move a motion as to the form tho memorial should take. The Deputy-Mayor considered this was rather premature. The • matter should for the time being be .'eft in the hands of the Executive Committee. Mr MeCombs said a large number of Mr Taylor's temperance fnends had the question of erecting a memorial over Mr Taylor's grave in view, so the meeting need not worry about that. Jttr G. T. Booth urged that they secure the assistance of all organisations, in order to make, the memorial a success. Ino Rev. W. J. Comrie, president of the New Zealand Alliance, said the Aiianco executive had decided to throw their whole heart into the memorial, and had asked the various affiliated leagues to take the matter up. But it should not be left to the No-license people alono. Tho fund ehould be kept upon a broad basis. The Nolicense people wore prepared to put other schemes aside for the time being, and join in with a national memorial. With regard to the tombstone, a few of Mr Taylor's personal friends wished to erect that. Mr Forrester urged that the Cit> Council ehould be asked to erect a monument of Mr Taylor, instead of a fountain in tho Triangle. Mr L. M. Isitt considered it unfortunate at that stage to introduce tho question of a monument. Let them provide for Mr Taylor's family first, and consider a monument afterwards. Mr D. G. Sullivan said it had been suggested that the life and public speeches of Mr Taylor be published. Besides this being a memorial to Mr Taylor, it would help to increase tho fund. The Deputy-Mayor considered that their first object was to get iv tihe money.

On the Deputy-Mayor's motion, the presidents of the Chambers of Com-mi-rct. and the chairmen of Harbour Boards, Education Boards and County Councils throughout the Dominion were added to the committee.

Mr J. A. Flesher proposed that the names of subscribers, but not the Amounts of their subscriptions, be published. Mr A. F. Wright thought it a great mistako to publish either the names of the subscribers or the amounts. The motion was carried. Tha following executive committee was appointed: —Mayor of Christchurch, Messrs H. W. Bishop, S.M., L. M. Isitt. H. Holland. G. Bowron, G. Booth, J. MeCombs (secretary), aiid C. E. Salter (treasurer). The Ashburton list in aid of 'the Taylor Memorial Fund was opened yesterday morning, and'was headed by Mr Hugo Friedlander, who subscribed 50 guinea's.