PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16268, 29 June 1916, Page 9

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

FRUIT FOR HOSPITALS.

FREE RAILAGE GRANTED.

EMPLOYMENT QUESTION.

A meeting of tlio Executive Committee of the Auckland Patriotic and War Relief Association held yesterday afternoon was attended by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, in the chair, the Mayoress, Mrs. J. H. Gunson, Mrs. W. H. Parkes, Messrs. V. J. Larncr, G. Elliot, H. D. Heather, A. S. Bankart, E. A. Craig, E. Phelan, X. A. Nathan, A. C. Caughey, A. J. Lunn, C. Rhodes, W. Sprang, and J. F. Ewen. 'j^. o secrctai reported that a complaint had been made by the Mayor of Whangarei that donations of cases of lemons for the • military hospital at Trentham, although I handled free of charge by the Northern | Steamship Company and Auckland carters, were being charged freight oy the Railway Department. Representation had been mad© to the Minister for Railways, and a reply had been received from him stating that, provided the fruit was a bona-lide gift and not for any particular individual, it would be conveyed free for the donors.' Mr. Gunson remarked that other fruitgrowers in Auckland, when they became aware of this concession, would, no doubt, 1 supply a little fruit for the men at Rotorua from time to time. Mr. SP rir Sff inquired' if a private person could despatch fruit himself to the military hospital. The Mayor : Yes; provided it is for the men as a whole. Employment for Soldiers. The Discharged Soldiers' 'Employment Committee reported : that during the past six weeks employment had been found for 48 men, making a total of 143 for whom work had been procured. The Discharged Soldiers information Department was now j dealing direct with local committees at jVUiangarei, Te Kuiti, Thames, Taumaruj nui, Opotiki, Hamilton, Dargaville, and ; Kotorua and had transferred to those disI tricts 33 names off the Auckland register, j the Department had authorised the removal of 33 names of men from the Auckland register, who had not applied for work or had failed to respond to repeated communication. The number of men at present listed for employment was 83, and of these the majority were unskilled labourers. who were practically disabled, | either through wounds or sickness, and it I was difficult to find suitable positions for ! them.

The committee further reported that I several of the soldiers were causing a state ,of dissatisfaction among employers by ac- . cepting work and then not turning up on , the appointed day, or by giving the work up after a very short trial. Such conduct would make it increasingly difficult to get work for discharged soldiers. No difficulty had been experienced in obtaining posil tions for men with trades or professions, i but, although numerous offers of employment on farms had been received, no men could be found to undertake such work. The report was adopted. Forthcoming Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of tho association will be held on Wednesday, Julv 12. Four members of the executive, Mr. D. W. Jack, Wliangarei. Mr. J. J. Kingston, Hamilton, Mr. H. Lowe, Thames, and Mr. Sharpo, Tauranga, will retire in accordance with rule 6. It is necessary, in accordance with another rule, to determine by lot, seven other members of the execu- ! tive who shall retire, but who shall be eligible for re-election. The chairman and treasurer of the association were appointed a committee to draft the executive's report to the annual meeting, and a meeting of the executive will be held on July 5, for the purpose of adopting or amending the draft report. The members to retire | were then decided liv lot, which resulted jas follows 'The Mayoress. Mrs. J. H. IGunson, Mrs. W. H. Parke?, Messrs. G. | Elliot, C. J. Tun'., V. J. Earner, S. Milroy, and C. R. Munro. Financial Position. A statement was submitted in the report of the Finance Committee that the working balance on April 15 was £34,110 4s sd. Amounts received since May 15 totalled £2810 4s, making a total balance of £36,920 8s sd. Disbursements since Mny 15 totalled £4933 2s lid, leaving a balance at June 19 of £31.987 6s 6d. | Total disbursements amounted to £45,201 and total investments to £308,054 Is.