PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17428, 24 September 1918, Page 7

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare association was held, yesterday morning. The Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) occupied the chair. rkghiental fund. The Advisory Board, Wellington, 'wrote asking the association for its second instalment of £649 to the Common Regimental Fund. The Secretary stated that the amount had already been iorwarded. ASSIBITNG BETUItNED MEN. Mr G. Smith (secretary, of the llcturned Soldiers' Association) wroio to the effect thai the association's committee had been considering the matter of assistance to returned soldiers taking up businesses or farms, and he had been directed to inquire whether the association was prepared financially to assist soldiers taking up land other than Government farms, in the purchase of stock, implements, or in setting up returned soldiers in business.

The Mayor said that a good deal of thought had been given to this question by the fcSoldiers' Committee, and he thought a principle ought to be laid down in the matter. The letter might be referred to tie committee.

Mr Solomon, K.C. (chairman of the Soldiers' Committee) said tho view of the commjttee was well-known, and tho executive might send a reply at once, to the affect that it could not deal with the question generally. The committee was quite willing to grant assistance to soldiers taking up land or any other sort of occupation, provided it seemed to the committee a suitable thing to do. It depended, however, on the circumstances of each case, and no general rule could be laid down. If the matter was referred to tho Soldiers' Committee, it could say no more, and it had said the same 20 times already. Of course, the committee would be willing to confer with the Soldiers' Association on the question, or on any individual case that it might bring forward.

Mr Horn said he understood that the Canterbury Association gave a substantial grant to soldiers going on the land if they were suitable men. The local committee had decided that as its funds were limited it oonld give no more than £50 to any man. The Secretary (Mr Steel) said that the Canterbury Association gave a grant of £100 and a loan of £100. Dr Pulton said that every case must be treated. They might giro £25 to one man and £500 to another.

The Mayor said that in many cases that oame before the committee it would be throwing away money to assist a man to take up a business, and in such, cases the committee had done its best to dissuade the man from entering on the business. In other cases, the committee was satisfied that men could mate a good living out of the propositions they made. The secretary was instructed to reply that every case would be treated on its requirements, and that the association had to be satisfied with the soundness of the proposition put before it, and with the suitability of the applicant. • " LEST WE FORGET " CAMPAIGN.

Mr F. Norris, organiser of the National Service League, wrote with regard to the "Lest We Forget" campaign, stating that the following resolution had been agreed to, and forwarded to the chairman of the Efficiencv Board:—"We request that your board will undertake and arrange for the establishment of four memorial workshops in New Zealand, as a national tribute to the memory of the brave men of this country whose lives have been sacrificed in the war, the object being to provide permanent work for our disabled soldiers after the manner of the Lord Roberts Workshops of England. The association's co-operation was also asked for. The Mayor remarked that in some places the Government was making use ol the technical schools for the instruction of soldiers. . The letter was referred to the Soldiers Committee for a report. ATTXILIABX NAVAL FOBCE. Mr C. Darling (hon. secretary of the Otago branch of the Navy League) wrote stating that a reply from the Minister of Defence was to the effect that the Cabinet could not accede to the league's request with respect to members of the Auxiliary Naval Force.

The Mayor explained that the association had co-operated with the Navy League in an effort to place the men in the Auxiliary Naval Service, such as the motor boat patrol, on somewhat the same footing as ♦he men of the Expeditionary Force, in the way of allowances to wives and childTen, and so on. It seemed, however, that ihe Government was against the proposal. .. Father Coffey said it was to be regretted that the Government had turned the men down. The Mayor said it was _ a matter the association had been battling for for a long time. Father Coffey said he thought they ought to keep on battling.

The letter was received. THE SOLDIERS' CLUB.

The Secretary of the Anzac Soldiers' duh wrote that the club had been dissolved. It had been agreed that any funds be handed over to the Returned Soldiers' Association.

The Mayor said the position was that a movement was started about 12 months ago -with the idea of building a. Soldiers' Club, and a committee, consisting of roturnedi men and private _ citizens, was set up. One of the first things realised was the absolute folly of having two soldiers' clubs, and that success must largely depend on the attitude of the Anzac Soldiers' Club- Executive. Conferences were held between the two parties, and it was ultimately agreed by the Anzac House Executive that it should recommend that its association should go into liquidation and hand over the property to the Soldiers' Club. The new committee of the club had been incorporated, and was able to hold property. It was then found that the Anzac Club, under its constitution, could hand over the property only to the Patriotio Association, and it was now suggested that, with a view to saving the legal expense of a double transfer, _ the association should pass a resolution instructing the club to make a transfer direct . to the Dunedin Soldiers' Club Association (Incorporated), which, so he was informed by the tion,_ was quite sufficient to comply with all requirements.

Mr P. E: Theomin said, as one of the executive _of the Anzao Club, he had pleasure in moving the resolution as requested.

Mr G. L. Denniston seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Mayor said that the Anzac Club Executive had done good) work during the period it had been in existence. It had worked whole-heartedly and devotedly for the returned men, and had shown the true spirit in agreeing to efface itself when jt saw _ that better work could be done bw handing the property over to the new association.

TREAStTEEB'a STATEMENT. The bon. treasurer submitted a statement of accounts showing the following balances of the respective fundsßelgian Relief £7140 6s 9d; Local Relief, 9s 9d • Great Britain and Ireland Fund, £138 14s lid • Serbian Relief Fund, £13 7s 8d Queen Carnival, £6345 3s 7d; Ambulance, £43 15 s lid; Expeditionary Force, £86 5s 3d;- Uncon<stional, £959 2s sd; Y.M.C.A., £19 2s 9d; Women's Association, £18; Salvation Army £19 2s 9d; Poles' Relief, £79 4 S 6d; Mercantile Marine Sailore, £8907 10s 2d total, £23,780 12s sd. general. The report of the Soldiers' and Dependents Welfare Committee was adopted.

The Mayor said that last month there were the names of 55 returned men on the books awaiting employment, and this month 27. It was pleasing- to know that it had been possible to place a number of men in civil situations. The men said they were getting back into civil life, and their employers said the men were proving capable worKers. 5 4