HELP FOR SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16030, 23 September 1915, Page 9

HELP FOR SOLDIERS.

THE SPECIAL APPEAL. SPONTANEOUS RESPONSE. £24,515 ALREADY RAISED. N.Z. INSURANCE CO. VOTES £7500. The total sum voluntarily contributed to the Patriotic Fund since Mr. George Elliot, chairman of the executive of the Patriotic and War Relief Association, made his special appeal at the carnival meeting held last Friday at the Town Hall, already amounts to £24,515. The total up to Tuesday night was £14,000, the additional £10,515 having been donated or promised yesterday. Of the latter sum the New Zealand Insurance Company voted the handsome amount of £7500 to the fund. The remainder of yesterday's total was contributed or promised as follows:—Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co., Wilson and Horton, Leyland and O'Brien Timber Company, £1000 each ; Mr. F. W. Wilson, £10; the Hon. W. Fraser, Minister for Public Works, £5.

This result of the special appeal for more funds in aid of sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers is looked upon as exceedingly gratifying, especially in view of the fact that the whole of the £24,515 has been obtained without any canvassing. Within the next few days an influential sub-committee, with the Hon. George Fowlds as chairman, and Mr. A. B. Roberton as vice-chairman, will commence an active canvass of the entire city to further augment the funds. The executive of the association is to meet this afternoon to discuss the advisability of entering into an understanding with the other patriotic associations throughout New Zealand as regards a unification scheme for all funds, on the lines suggested recently bv Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., of Wellington. It is hoped that an arrangement may be arrived at whereby the various funds of, any one district, without being delocalised, will be -available for the assist- ! ance of outside districts when required. I

ALLIED NATIONS FETE.

ATTITUDE OF THE MAYOR.

EXPLANATION BY GUILD

"OBJECT ANNOUNCED LONG

AGO."

An explanation was given yesterday bv Miss W. Snelling, president of the Girls' Realm Guild, regarding the relations of the guild with,the Patriotic and, War Relief Association* In connection with the Fete of Allied Nations, which is to be opened in the Town Hall to-morrow. A statement on the subject by the Mayor was reported in yesterday'sHEßAXD, and in reply to his remarks regarding the objects 01 trie bazaar, Miss Snelling said it had always been clearly shown that the proceeds would be expended upon comforts for sick and wounded soldiers in the base hospitals.

" Any misunderstanding that there may have been regarding the objects of the bazaar is in no way due to any fault on the part of the guild," said Miss Snelling. "We have always made it perfectly clear in our circulars, advertisements, and newspaper paragraphs that the bazaar was being promoted in aid of our 6ick and wounded soldiers from the Dardanelles in the various base hospitals. That statement of its purpose w contained in the circular issued in June asking for assistance, and it lias been repeated in our advertisements during the last few weeks. A copy of that circular was handed to one of the association's representatives, Mr. Bankart, and if nothing further has been done to acquaint the Patriotic Association with our objects, it is simply because we had no idea that they were not fully informed, since no inquiries were ever made."

Offer of Patronage. Miss Snelline explained that the patronage of the Patriotic , Association was spontaneously offered to the bazaar three months ago, and gratefully accepted. Inquiry was made by the guild regarding the use of the Town Hall, and a few days later the committee was surprised by the delivery of a letter, dated June 29, informing it that the executive of the Patriotic Association had decided to extend its patronage to your proposed bazaar." No condition regarding the purpose of the effort was mentioned. The letter also stated that the committee had " appointed Messrs, A. S. Bankart and V. J. Lamer to assist you in the organisation of the bazaar." A few days later, a meeting took place. Miss Snelling explained, between the four principal, officers of the mild and Messrs. Bankart and Lamer. The conversation was principally regarding the ability of the guild to carry its undertaking to a successful conclusion and regarding the probable amount that would be realised. The objects of the bazaar were not discussed.

Subsequently the guild had virtually no communication with the association or its representatives, except in connection with a few minor matters. Then, last Friday, a letter was received from the secretary of the association explaining that the executive had learned from a cress notice that the bazaar was being held "in aid of the New Zealand base hospitals." which. Miss Rnellinc remarked, was not the case. The letter further stated that " the New Zealand Government has undertaken to make all provision for our wounded in hospital, and that mv committee extended its pntronase on the understanding that the proceed" would be devoted entirely to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund." 1 Guild Members Greatly Distressed. "No such understanding ever existed »o far a= the rnii'd is concerned." said Mips Snelting. "We have always clearlv stated the mimosa of the bazaar, and if the Patriotic .Association has not troubled to read our notice l ? or to make inquiries. surelv -we cannot be blamed. " The officers and mep-diprs of the puild bay* been Grre«.tlr distressed." Visa Rnollinff added. "by the flavor's statement, almost on the eve of th» bazaar. •"Hen represents months of hard work. ,T> pp the essoriation does not propose to w'*V>drnw its patronage, ournlv it was; unkind, at least, to 'warn' th» nnhlic in the way lip ''as done. So fnr a? we are concerned, everything l-as been thoroughly sincere and straightforward. Our amounts will bo nnd'tpd. and jn due time the pnblie will be informed of the manner i" which every penny has been expended." OHEHUNGAJS SHARE. MEETING TO BE HELD. The Onehunffa Boroiiffb Council has convened a meeHnir of residents to ho held in the Coronation Hall. Oncen Street O-nchnnpra. nevt Tuesday "Mit to r«V« arrangements for snnrjort.ir>»» flip effort, now beinct made to r=ise £050.000. for th* Sick and Wounded Soldiers' F"nd. Tt has been snrwested that, nil the nnhlic bodies in Onelmnea, such as the fviendlv societies. bowlitKT. vacht. football, and rriVifof; clnbs. should combine to raise £1000 or more in Onehnnea. Pprjresentatives of these bodi'ps are specially invited to attend the meeting.