NATIONAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17083, 15 August 1917, Page 9

NATIONAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION

I'INTHUSIASTIC MEETING AT MOSGIEL. A most enthusiastic meeting under the allspices of the National Welfare Association was held in the Coronation Hall, Mos, Mr <\ 1? "A g i' 1 , Mayor of Mosgiel (Mr A. 1< Quelch) occupied the cliair, and wa 3 supported on the platform by prominent members of the association who had journeyed from Dunedin. Thei Mayor, in his opening remarks, said that throughput the Empire and through out the world there were many things happening which it was difficult to understand. Xor instance, it was difficult of coniprelicnsion why goods trains ran to and from Mosgiel and Dunedin, and yet passenger carriages jvore not attached .to those trains, incy need not be surprised, however, if in the event of there being a deficit on the working of the railways, the general taxPayer would be called upon to make it up. L erhaps sonic people would ho disposed to blame the Government, but ho was inclined to think that the Government was blamed lather much. Iho blame in a large measure rested on the people themselves. The indifference displayed was astounding, and this had become accentuated since the outbreak of the present war. Many people were disposed to rely on "the other iellow putting matters right. Too much was lett to the other fellow." The object of that night's meeting was to get as many as possible to join forces in remedying evils and righting wrongs.—(Applause.) . .^ ev - S. G. Griffith, in the course of a stirring speech, said he was inclined to agree with tho chairman as to the indifference displayed on questions which concerned every man, woman, and child. It was because of trie ind.fference displayed that the National Welfare Association was brought into existence. _ The people of Mosgiel and the Taieri Plain were not apathetic m the matter of sending their men out to fight, and he did not think they would be apathetic in the matter of seeing that justice was done to them and their dependents. He wished his hearers clearly to understand that, although many of the members of the National Welfare Association were above military age, they were ready and willing to do their part. Its members honoured the King and feared God, and recognised that they owed a duty to their King and country. One of the features of all wars was not that people did too much, but thar. the* did too little. There was just the fear that those who had taken an active part in tliis war would have to hold out their hanas for charity. _ Ifc was for those wh > were leit behind to eee that those who had worthily upheld the honour of the Empire wero not left in the position of having to accept charity, and the National Welfare Association was there to see that this was ~one. It must not be thought, however, that the association was formed for the purpose of hampering the Government—far from that. The association existed for the purpose of helping the Government.' It was pleasing to notice that the authorities had apparently abandoned the idea of conscripting lads of 19, but ho still thought it was wrong to permit them to volunteer. He would much prefer to go himself than that lads of'immature years should have to shoulder arms, and he believed he was voicing the opinion of every member of the association. If the Government was endeavouring to secure the services of lads on the score of economy of wealth, then he would say "Hands off our boys, and shell out the coin."—(Loud and prolonged applause.) Ho concluded by advising all who were unable to don the uniform to do their part by the soldiers and sailors who had done their best—that, in effect, was the platform of the National Welfare Association. Mr_ E. C. Reynolds urged the people of Mosgiel to take more interest in the doings of the association. He did not. know whether it was the Government or tho military authorities who were responsible for tho proposal to conscript lads of 19, but lie was sure that whoever it was they had not judged public feeling aright. Neither were they going to stand idly by and permit these lads of 19 to volunteer, which wduld open the door to the lad who was unable to pass the medical test to be branded as a j shirker. He knew there were boys of 19 ' dying to enlist, but he considered they should not be allowed to do so except under exceptional circumstances. Mr Reynolds explained the platform of the association, and strongly urged one and all to enrol and take a live interest in the branch. Mr M. Bradley delivered a forcible patriots speech, and touched upon much of the ground covered by the previous speakers. He pleaded for adequate .compensation to widows and other dependents of soldiers, and asked the Mosgiol branch to strengthen tho hands of tho Dunedin branch in demanding their right from those in tuthority. It was the duty of all to bind themselves together so th-it the? could demand what was right and just. 'The first plank of tho association's platform was to obey the law, but he urged his hearers to voice their grievances and take a firm stand while they had liberty of speech. ' He wanted them to deal with questions affecting themselves before they became law. Votes of thanks were passed to the speakers and to tho Mayor for presiding, and the meeting closed with the singing of the National Antham and cheers for°the boys at the front.