A general meeting of the Ammanford Distress Committee of the Prince of Wales Relief Fund was held at the Ammanford Council Schools on Monday night, Alderman W. N. Jones in the chair.
There was a large attendance from the five collieries in the Ammanford district.
The Secretary (Mr. W. L. Smith) read amongst the correspondence, a letter from the War Office upon points raised at a previous meeting by the Rev. J. W. Jones, as to what provision was being now made for the dependents of soldiers and sailors other than children.
It stated that an announcement will be made at an early date respecting the matter.
It was also reported by the secretary that he had caused poster to be circulated inviting applications for the accommodation of Belgian refugees. Announcements to that effect had also been made from all the places of worship, and the appeal had been projected as well on the screen at the Palace Theatre and Poole 's Pictorium.
The result was gratifying, hospitality being offered to between 60 and 70 of the refugees. He had communicated with the Belgian Consul at Swansea as well as the Central Committee in London , who had informed him that the refugees were arriving in groups or units, and that it was desired to keep families intact.
In view of this the Committee passed a resolution urging the Ammanford Urban Council to take up the matter of the provision of house accommodation.
Mr. J. L. Williams, Maesysquarre. Announced his readiness to place a house at the disposal of the refugees.
In order to deal with distress that may arise in the district, an executive Committee was appointed, consisting of twenty members together with the secretary, and it was agreed that the meeting of the General Committee take place once a month on the last Wednesday, with power to the Secretary to call a special meeting if desired in the meantime.
A meeting was afterwards held of the executive Committee and Mr. B. R. Evans was appointed chairman. It was decided that a sub-Committee, to be known as the Emergency Committee, of seven should be convened as and when the Secretary desired, and the meetings of the Executive Committee should be held every Wednesday.
