AMMANFORD RELIEF MEASURES. POSITION DISCUSSED BY GENERAL COMMITTEE. P7
At a meeting of the Ammanford War Emergency and Relief Committee on Thursday night, Mr. B. R. Evans presiding, a letter was read from the Secretary (Mr. J. W. James) relinquishing services in view of the fact that he had joined the Army. The Chairman said they were not surprised to hear that Mr. James had gone. In regard to the appointment of a successor, he suggested the advisability of having the secretary of the Relief Sub-Committee appointed. Mr. J. Lewis then proposed, and Mr. Hiley Harries seconded, that Mr. Mod. Thomas be appointed, and this was unanimously carried. On the account of the heaviness of the work, Mr. David Jones, of New Road, was with one voice appointed assistant secretary. The minutes of the Relief Sub-Committee, submitted by Mr. Mod. Thomas, showed that the secretary had been instructed to write to Messer’s Cleaves, Western Valleys Collieries, Ltd., thanking them for the public spirit they ate showing in providing so handsomely for the dependents of their employees who are serving with the colours. It had also been resolved that steps be taken to make known to all dependents of men serving with the colours where and how they will receive relief and how much is entitled to them. The report was adopted. Dr. Dunbar intimated that the training of the ambulance brigade was proceeding very satisfactorily. Fourteen had now volunteered for the front. Regarding the proposed civic guard, Mr. W. L. Smith said no action was being taken pending the recruiting campaign of the Lord Lieutenant. The Chairman stated that the recruiting authorities did not view with favour the enrolling of men of nineteen and upwards as civic guards as it would no doubt interfere with recruiting. They stated that no one should be enrolled under forty, and the Chairman foreshadowed that the Ammanford civic guard, if it materialises, would consist of men over forty, and those under that age who were physically fit to be accepted as volunteers for the front. A contribution of three guineas from the Ammanford I. O. G. T. Dramatic Society was received, and a vote of thanks accorded to the society. Rev. E. J. Rosser Evans inquired as to the sources from which the wives of soldiers and territorials would draw support, and how to secure that support. In the course of a long discussion resulted, Mr. David Jones said the separation allowance was paid at the Post Office on production of a document from the pay master, who for this district was stationed at Shrewsbury. Mr. Mod. Thomas (the secretary) suggested that a better working arrangement should exist between that committee and the Sailors and Soldiers’ Families’ Association, and pointed out, as matters were now, that the committee had no means of knowing to whom the Association were giving relief. The Chairman said the forums of the committee would indicate whether the application to them for relief was from the dependents of a civilian or a soldier. Mr. E. R. Fisher said the committee had nothing to do with the assistance given from the Sailors and Soldiers’ Families’ Association. That Association gave advances on account pending the receipt of the separation allowance, but of course, he doubted whether its repayment would be insisted upon. Mr. David Jones suggested that the relief of the dependents of those with the colours be left entirely to the Association and that the deal simply with civilians in distress. Mr. E. R. Fisher said every one should be taken on its merit and no rule of thumb adopted. The matter, eventually, dropped. It was decided that another £5 be donated towards Red Cross local work.