PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1916, Page 4

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

"DO WITHOUT" WEEK. * "feting of the New Plymouth patriotic Committee was held last evening. resent: Messrs J. E. Wilson fchairman). J. Paton, C. H. Burgess, H. Goodacre, C. E. Bellringer, S. J. Smith, ID. J. Hughes, T. C. List, J. Clarke C Carter, A. B. Gibson, W. J. Chanev. and L. M. Honteath. A letter was read from Mr. F. G. McLcod, bandmaster of the Citizens' Band, suggesting that a special appeal should be made for patriotic purposes on lines, which he enumerated, thf.t had been successfully carried out in Queensland. The "do without" should extend for a period of a week, and, he thought, should fulminate on a Saturday by a band concert and a general appeal to the public. The proceeds should, he suggested, go towards providing Chriak mas comforts for the men at the front In the course of the discussion the chairman said that many comfort* had been sent last year by the Y.M.C.A. and other organisations, but the great tronu ' those was that they were too "room. ." Shipping space had to be considered. The suggestion of providing Christmas comforts was feasible, but the proportion of space that could be al-, lotted should be borne in mind.

Messrs Clarke, Goodacre, Carter, Bellringer, and Chaney (convenor) wera ultimately appointed a committee to meet Mr. McLeod in reference to a "Do Without Week."

The Herald notified that Us subscription lists would close on August 31. The moneys held had been deposited, and a statement was enclosed.

Mr. Bellringer notified that the Y.M. C.A. held £l2l} IGs 4d, and that would be remitted to the proper quarters. The secretary reported that the balance now in hand was £1277 la 9d, and it was decided to forward £llBO to the Taranaki centre, at Stratford. Several accounts were passed for payment, and a member of the Reinforcements, who belongs to a friendly society, was made financial with the body concerned. An invitation to members of the Committee to attend the official opening of the Soldiers' Club on Thursday was accepted. •Mr. J. R. Hill, visiting member of the Committee to.the hospital, reported on a number of matters relating tp the necessities of several returned soldiers who> are at present in the local hospital, and authority was given that everything ne-ces-ary should be done. Mr. Hill also forwaidod correspondence relating to the traiii accommodation pro vided 'for returned soldiers, and spoudenee relating to railway passes vi' al-o received. Tlu> chairman, in remarking that the annual meeting of the committee should lis held this month, announced that ho would then cease to be a representative on the Provincial Council, as his businesswould not permit of liirn allowing the time necessary. He hoped that the public generally would roll up to the annual meeting; it was not right that busy men should have to spend so much time on these matters while there wore many men of ability, with, time to spare, hanging hack from what was a yiain duty. A member: They've not only got time to spare, but plenty of money, too. Another member.: And the money goo* in other directions. What about sport! After further discussion it was decided that the annual meeting should be held on Tuesday, August 29, in the Good Templar Hall, if that building ii available «n that date.