WAR RELIEF.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7750, 18 July 1916, Page 4

WAR RELIEF.

WAIPUKURAU BRANCH. (Own Correspondent). A meeting of the Waipukurau branch of the H.B. War Relief Association was held in the Library social hall on Saturday afternoon. The following societies were represented: Waipukurau, Mesdames Reid and Chambers, Messrs Curd, Gilbertson and Winlove; Otane, Mr Gilbert McKay; Oero, Mr M. Ryan. BRANCH RULES. 'file executive of the H.B. War Relief Association forwarded particulars of the last meeting of the executive. With regard to the request of the executive asking for recommendations as to the functions, etc., of branch societies, after discussion, the following resolution was adopted, to be forwarded on to the executive as a recommendation from this branch: —•“That the functions of branch societies were to protect the interests of the Association, and that the committees of associated societies should Ik* decided by means of an election. ” Mr Gilbertson proposed, “That the qualification for voting at the election of the committee of any associated society be the payment of Is.” Seconded by Mr McKay. Mr Winlove did not agree with this method, as it gave anydne who contributed Is the right to have a hand in the administration of funds to which some had given hundreds of pounds. Mr Gilbertson said it would be still worse if anyone and everyone were allowed to vote without some qualification. Mr McKay thought a charge of 1s would prevent block voting, or people coining from other districts to vote in order to assist in getting any measure through which they desired. Mr Ryan thought that if that was the object of charging for voting, the charge made would have to be higher. One shilling would not do much good.' An amendment was proposed by Mr Curd, “That the election of committees of associated societies be by Parliamentary franchise. ’ ’ Mr Chambers seconded the amendment. Mr Curd did not think that there Were many people who had not contributed towards the funds. In reply to Mr McKay, he said that so far as this branch was concerned, the boundaries o,f the electorate would be the boundaries of the Patangata and Waipukurau counties and the Waipukurau borough. Mr McKay said that the question of the election of committees was a very important one, and required mature consideration. We had to look forward to the time when there was much more solid work to be done than was being done now. We were as yet only on the fringe of the matter. Mr Winlove suggested that an open franchise would go a long way in holding the interest of the people. The casting vote of the chairman carried the amendment. “That the whole of the committees of associated societies, which shall consist of not less than five members, shall retire annually, but be eligible for re-election,’ 1 was proposed by Mr Gilbertson, seconded by Mr Curd. After discussion Mr Chambers pro- . posed as an amendment, “That the members of committees retire by the same system as road board members—a bare majority the first year, the balance the second, and tlu* whole body the third year.” This was seconded by Mr Ryan. On being put to the meeting the amendment was lost, the original proposal being carried. Mr Curd moved, seconded by Mr McKay, “That the annual election of committees of societies be held in January, and annually thereafter.” — Carried. It was resolved that the first meeting of committees be held not later than the lust week in January, and that at that meeting the representative of tlu* society on the branch committee be elected. Mr Gilbertson proposed that the first meeting of the branch committee he held at sonic date not later than the last day in February, and monthly thereafter.” Seconded by Mr McKay and carried. LIFE INSURANCE. A letter was read from Mr Logan, the representative of the Waipukurau branch on the Central Executive, asking the opinion of tlu* branch committee on tlu* question of paying the life insurance premiums of returned soldiers for the first two or three years after their return, and also the opinion of the committee us to whether grants made to soldiers should be as a loan or as absolute gifts. This letter brought both the Oero and Otane representatives to their feet with protests at being asked to debate such an important matter without having first received direction from their respective societies on the matter. They held that they should have received a copy of the letter some time previous to the meeting, and that if they expressed opinions now they would be personal ones and possibly not in accordance with the views of the societies they were representing. Mr McKay proposed that the discussion he adjourned until a meeting to he held on Wednesday week, to allow the delegates time to consult their societies on the matter. Seconded by Mr Winlove and carried.