OTAGO PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17713, 26 August 1919, Page 3

OTAGO PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive of the Otago Patriotio Association, was held yesterday morning. Mr G. L.' Denniston was voted to the chair in the absence of the Mayor. The other members of the executive present were:—Messrs J. Begg, J. London, M. M'Allea, J. Horn, J. L. Salmond, D. E. Theoinin, R. W. Glendining, a felpoight, and the Hon. J. T. JEW.

Mr J. W. Kinnibursh (officer in charge of the War Funds Department, Wellington) wrote in reply to a letter from the association under date July 20, dealing with the disposal of the funds of the Otago and Southland Women's Patriotio Association. Mo expressed regret that thore should have been any misunderstanding or contusion in conneofcion therewith. Mr Daviea (the writer of the previous letter from the department) had not been aware that he (Mr Kiruiiburgh) had talked over the matter with Miss Burt while in Dunedin and h<-d eatisfied himself of the necessity for the continuance of the good work being doue by the Women s Association. The assurance which he had received was that as soon as Ihe wants of the returning men were_ finally dealt with by tho association the balance of the funds would be handed over to tho Patriotio and General Welfare Association. That arrangement had beon approved by the Minister, and would hold B f°u- ,he BeCTefca ry reported that a copy of this letter had been sent to Miss Burt— ,lhe letter was received.

b OI J L fcfcairarai of the Wellington War Relief Association) forwarded a circular concerning the proposed commission of inquiry into the disposal of patnotio wax funds. Mr Tripp was of opinion that when all the men -were demobilised and matters again became normal the different societies controlling war relief funds would know what moneys they had in hand, and it -would then probably be necessary for the various societies to appoint delegates to meet and decide as to the manner in which the funds in hand should be expended.-On the motion of Mr .Loudon it was decided to refer the circular to the Finance Committee and the honorary treasurer for a report. In submitting the treasurer's statement Mr Lewin mentioned that the actual amount standing to the credit of the Soldiers Fund was £70,169 18s lOd.— The report was adopted. The Finance Committee's report -was adopted on the motion of the chairman. Mr Paul moved tho adoption of the Soldiers and Dependents' Welfare Committee's report, and in the course of his remarks referred to grants to soldiers. It had Miever been expected that the committee could do all it would like to do A great responsibfltiy rested upon it 'in fegard to distributing the funds amongst aa many as possible, and more particularly amongst those most in need'of help. The pohcy of the. committee had widened the grounds of distribution aa far as possible, and covered the widest area.—The resport was adopted. Tho joint committee's report aa 'to the constitution, was presented, it being remarked -n connection therewith that the member able to speak as to it was not' present.—Mr Speight moved the adoption of the report, and said it was considered that practically no further constitution was required. The committoe as it stood could carry on the work.—Mr Theomin seconded the motion.—The Chairman expressed gratincation at hearing that the committee was able- to undertake the present work. If the .committee so desired it could get additional help.—The report was adopted. The report of the sub-committee as to the constitution was submitted and adopted. —Some conversational discussion followed m the course of which Mr Begs raised the question of what was going to ultimately happen io the soldiers' funds. He thought the executed should bo called together to deal with the question.—The Chairman said the secretary (Mr 'Wright} could call a meeting when he thought it was necessary — Mr Loudon suggested that they should £°. Int ° what had been suggested by Mr Iripp.-The Chairn.an said that Parliament might introduce some legislation dealine with the funds. Then would be the time to call a meeting. "* In speaking to the adoption of the subcommittee a report on the question of a permanent record of the patriotic work in the province, Mr Theomin said that it should be made clear that the committee did not suggest that it was too big a thine to bo undertaken. The idea -was that it should be a national movement, and that carh of the provinces should send in a report of the work that they considered most worthy of being recorded. This they would fmpport with a vote of money towards the cost of the record.