WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 10 January 1916, Page 4

WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND.

A SCHEME SUGGESTED,

The meeting of members of mihlJrquestion ot tormmatmg a scheme for uagmencmg the funds tor the assJancl, ot wounded soldiers, convened, by the,local committee, was held on .Saturday? . Apologies were received trom Mr 0. A. .Larcombe, Mayor of Patea- frmrv Mr T. A McPhiliips, chairman & S' mate West County Council; ii om AIV a" H pmiiOn' .Pfpadoit of Egmont,. A. and P. Association, and from MvLi. A Uone, a member of the local pro- ■ vmcial executive. All these gentlemen regretted their inability to ft pSS and expressed their sympathy with thi movement and their readiness to heln in, every way possible. y The chairman (Mr E. Dixon) said that the reason for the conference would beknown to all present.' He considered, that the amount in hand in the district was very small, and they were coucernedv, as to how best an adequate sum could beraised.

The secretary read a letter received from the Wairarapa District Committeeshowftig that the system adopted therewas a, personal canvass, and also patriotic concerts at which flagsjetc., weresold. , The canvass was made mostiy by farmers who believed that all extra profits due to the war should go to thefund lor the assistance of soldiers, ancL having given their profits, they were iiv a position to request those they calledon to; do the same. The letter conclud- * ed: "It was surprising howliberally the workmen oh iarms, stations and in* towns gave to the cause. Monthly contributions are made to the cause byworkmen in the town through their employers." The,-total":raised in the Wairarapa through the sale of flags, etc. was ,£71,011, towards which Mastertoit contributed £21,680, ■ Ee&therston £19,000, Tinui £7955, Greytdwn £7202 Gladstone £3800, aiartinborough £3205r 'Carterton £1844,' ■ Masterton; (second> £1351, Featherston (second) £1198, Mastertbn (Trehtham boys' Hag) £1149 Tstueru £1073,: Masterton (Club iiair^ - = £1000, Langdale £550; ; , Mr G. V. Pearce, M.P., speaking aschairman of the Patea County Council said that Patea Had ajbout :£I3OO. Spme^ of the smaller places, had/ amounts, so that it was evident some of' them had organised a collection. He hack, been approached to take part in a per— r sonal canvass. It was .quite evident, that Hawera, as a district, was net do— -ing its share. From Manawapou to Manaia there should be raised an amount of £20,0UQ. An endeavor should be~ made to collect this amount. Carnivals, were not a right method. If lists werestarted and a personal appeal made, hebelieved the amount could be got. Hewas prepared to start the list with £250. Men who have made exra profits should^ pay, and so assist in looking^ after, mea. who have come back from the war. He* believed; that the cheese farmers Lad ■■ made bigger profits than any others. The districts should be defined "and com- ' mittees set up for certain areas. They should wait on all settlers. This was. a rich district. .A Christmas contribu- , tion.of £200 to the Base Hospital hadl : just been sent away. This, he hadi no doubt,, would be much appreciated. l The amount so far raised was so small asto cast a slur on the people of the district. 'This should be removed, and if r an appeal were made he felt sure themoney would be forthcoming. Then asto. taxation, he would like to say a word or two. The amount put on was£2,ooo,ooo. He 'did not agree at alt with the methods of imposing the taxes; and considered some of them very objectionable. . Taxation must be put on and, must "be got from the people of the Dominion, and in his opmion v would continue for a long time. But he: considered that the whole scheme wanted! remodelling. He thought the demand* should be put direct on to the butter y . cheese and wool extra profits. Mr, Cbnroy said it was somewhat disappointing that the attendance was notrlarger. He hoped the remarks madewould have a good effect. The meeting: had been called to disctss the formulation of some general scheme. It will be necessary to get a representative meeting an,d so get .the scheme on, I a good working basis. The right people I must be secured. Retired settlers, he* thought, cpuld help much in getting, over the district. .

Mr Pearce thought that if a resolution were sent to Patea, their Patriotic Committee would assist in a general? scheme.

Mr Conroy said it was necessary to get the people together and endeavor to create a spirit of emulation. Committees in each districtshould canvass on the electoral roll, and lists should be made public. Mr Pearce thought that a centra? committee should cut the area up intosections. There was a lot of detail work to *>c done.

The Chairman said a representativepublic meeting must be called to get public support to a scheme. Mr Conroy said the idea would be toget prominent public men to sign an* appeal to the people of South Taranaks. .

Mr Free, Normanby Town Board, agreed with the suggested scheme ant 3» , thought there would be no difficulty in getting Normanby to fall in with theidea.

After some consideration it w7»s decided" to call the public meeting for Thursday, evening, January 27, arid to ask the* following' gentlemen to sign a circular calling the meeting:—The chairman oF the Hawera. Patea and Waimate "WesS County Councils : the Mayors of Har/era*. and Patea:. the chairmen of the Normanby and Manaia Town Boards, the* president of +he Egniont A. and P. Association, and the Egmont Racing-; Club, and of the Chambers of Commerce.