OTAGO PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16980, 17 April 1917, Page 3

OTAGO PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

Tho regular meeting of tho executive of the Otago Patriofcio Association was hold in the Town Hall yesterday morning. Tho Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) presided. Captain J. Graham (25th Reinforcements, Irentluitn) wroto aa to a grant or gifts for tho amusement and comfort of mon on tho voyago Home.—The Mayor remarked that they left theso matters very largely to tho chaplains and tho Y.M.C. Association.— Tho communication was referred to tho Soldiers' Committee A letter from the Now Zealand War Contingent Association, London, as to proceedings in which the Right Hon. W. F. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward took part, was received a.nd noted. Dr P. Marshall wrote from Wanganui resigning his position on the executive.—The resignation was accepted, and tho usual complimentary remarks made, and a resolution w;is passed in connection with tho enforcecd retirement of Dr Marshall from tho executive. Tile Undt-r-seeretary of Internal Affairs wrote acknowledging rcceint of £650 towards the National Relief Fund" The total fund at Homo had apparently readied £5.925,000, of which over £2,000,000 had been expended. —Received. Tho Second Division League wrote offering to co-operate with tho association in the direction of improving tho condition of soldiers.—Received. The secretary of the Wairarapa Patriotic Association, Masterton, wrote forwarding a resolution passed by that body .bearing on providing improved land for returned -soldiers.—Tho Mayor said tho question was ono that had to bo considered with earo before an opinion was expressed.—Mr Bogg. who was invited to say something, stated that he was not prepared to offer an opinion off hand on tho sub.iect.—Tito matter was referred to tho Soldiers' Welfare Committee for report. The Treasurer (Mr G. A. Lewin) submitted the regular statement of the finances, tho principal portion of which was as follows:— Tho total receipts to date amount to £261,759 lis Bd. Tho position of the respective funds under tho control of the association is: — Fnnd. Bcoeipts. Expenditure. Balance. Belgian Relief £81.534 10 1 £75,350 17 11 £G,183 12 2 Local -\ Relief 8,222 10 8 (• 10,420 18 11 0 9 9 Refunds 2,198.18 o) . Great Britain and Ireland 6,342 311 6,203 9 0 138 14 11 Serbian 5,401 7 3 5,344 1G 3 56 11 0 Poles 144 4 6 144 4 6 — Soldiers and > Depend- | eats' 25,302 16 3 |- 117,791 15 G 12,020 5 1 Queen | Carnival 104,509 4 4j Ambu-

lanoo 406 7 11 390 1 10 16 6 1 Expeditionary Force 4,323 16 0 3,892 13 4 431 2 8 Unconditional 4,626 10 5 2,145 9 3 2,181 1 2 Y.M.C.A. 3,530 10 4 3,530 10 4 — . British and French Prisoners' 31 0 0 31 0 0 — Sailors' Dependents' 14,802 9 8 14,788 10 11 13 18 9 Minesweepers' . 10 0 0 10 0 0 — Leather Vests 373 2 i 373 2 4 — Totals £261,759 11 3 £240,417 10 1 £21,342 1 7 Mr Lewin also submitted a statement of receipts and expenditure from January 1, 1916, to March 31, 1917.—1n tins connection tho Mayor suggested that they should hold one more meeting of tho executive in May, and thereafter hold the annual meeting. Committees could then present a complete report of their operations.. Ho made an appeal for increased membership, mentioning that tho subscription was only ss.—The statement was received, and.it was resolved to hold tho annual meeting on May 28, tho date for tho meeting- of the executive being fixed for May 14. Tho Public Appeal Committee's report was adopted. Tlie _ Mayor, in moving the adoption of tho Finance Committee's report, drew attention to-' clause 5, and said that they had had an experience of pensions, and knew the serious position the association had to face. In very many oases it seemed impossible for women to keep body and soul together with the money allotted to them, and it appeared that, as tho war went on, there would be an enormously heavy drain upon tho funds of the association. The question to bo faced was: W T as the Government going to see to it that there were adequate pensions for .women whose husbands had been killed. In many cases it was quite impossible for women to exist upon the present allowance, and the feeling was that it was im-' perativo that tho Government should meet the difficulty as to' pensions.—The report was adopted.