PATRIOTIC FUND.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1674, 26 June 1919, Page 5

PATRIOTIC FUND.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the executive of Hie Canterbury Patriotic Fund was held yesterday afternoon, Mr 11. Holland presiding. The annual report and balance-sheet (already published) were presented, and their adoption was moved by the chairman. Mr Holland said that there had been some criticism of the heavy expenditure during the year. It had been understood that it would take about three years to repatriate all the Dominion's soldiers. As a matter of fact, the men were all being returned in about a year, and this had involved a very heavy expenditure during the year just expired. That fact would not make the total expenditure any larger in the ultimate. He had always been opposed to the giving of large grants until all the men were back. He was also of opinion that something more should be done than had been the ease in the past in the matter of providing soldiers with homes in the city and suburbs. He was not discriminating as between town and country, but equal consideration should bo given to all, whether they were settling in the country or in the town. Mr Holland concluded by paying a tribute to the excellent work done by the officers of t\o organisation. He thanked the members of the executive for the cordial manner in which they had co-operated with him in the work.

Mr ('. J. Williams seconded the adoption til; the report and balancesheet.

Mr F. Ilovrell, in supporting the motion, agreed with Mr Holland in his remarks to the effect that there should lie no discrimination between the treatment meted out to soldiers in town and country. The motion was carried.

It was decided that the present exeeu tive should be re-elected, with the addi tion of Mr A. F. Wright.

Mr C. J. Williams nominated the Mayor of Christchurch (Dr It. T. .1. Thacker, M.P.) as chairman for the ensuing- year. Mr J. R. Buchanan seconded' the motion.

Mr F. Jlorrcl! said that Mr Holland had been connected with the fend since its initiation. The fund was not a city fund, but a provincial fund, and it did not follow that the Mayor of Christchurch should lie chairman of the fund. He nominated Air Holland as chairman. Mr Holland said that he was being placed in a very embarrassing position. lie had been Mayor of Christe.luirc.li and desired that the dignity of the position should be upheld, tie did not like eontesting the position under the circumstances, and lie honed that thev would elect Dr Thacker. Mr Holland and Dr Thaclcev then withdrew, and a vote was taken on a show of hands, Mr Holland being elected by 1." voles to two. Mr Holland was declared re-elected, and thanked members for the confidence shown in him.

Mr Cyrus J. Williams v.-as re-elected vice-chairman.

Messrs H. A. Knight and .T. E Buchanan were re-elected trustees.

The Applications Committee and the Trades and Professions Committee were ro-oleetod as at present constitute.!, with the addition of Messrs C. W. Llervey and A. F. Wright.

The Agricultural and Fanning Committee was re-elected, also Mr IT. K. .Smith as honorary treasurer, Messrs Dougall and Upham as honorary solicitors, and T)r W. Vox as honorary medical adviser.

Votes of thanks were accorded the committees, the secretary, the staff, and Mr 11. R. Smith (honorary treasurer). Several members expressed their high appreciation of the very courteous and aide Dimmer in tvhich Mr Smith had discharged his duties. Mr .!. J. Dougall was re-elected the representative of the fund on the Advisory Board.