PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 142, 15 June 1917, Page 8

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES.

DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF. i_.CK OF UNIFORMITY. DOMINION SCHEME SUGGESTED. The fact that there is at present no ■uniform system of administering the patriotic funds throughout the Dominion formed the subject of comment by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson) at the annual meeting of the Patriotic Association on Wednesday. "It will still be fresh," he said, "in the minds of members that proposals from time to time have been submitted, involving a Dominion sceheme in respect of the patriotic funds. The principal proposals in this connection were submitted from ■Wellington in August. 191."), but after careful consideration the proposals were reje—ted by the Auckland Executive. Subsequently it was found on the occasion of the provincial organisation in September and October of 1915, that this decision met with support throughout the province. Following the failure of the Dominion proposals of 1915, the patriotic funds of the Auckland province i were consolidated and the proposals in j respect of a provincial fund matured. "It is desired to suggest for consideration that the time has arrived for your Executive to seriously consider the advisableness of attempting the unification of all the patriotic funds of the Dominion along the lines of the Auckland provincial scheme. In making this suggestion, one must take a wider survey than that represented by the Auckland interests alone. The reason i for the proposal are: (1) There is no uniformity at present in the scale of relief or in the policy of the respective societies throughout the Dominion. Both of these

desirable objects may be attained without in any way lessening the ability of the respective administrations to meet the needs of the returned soldier or the dependents of soldiers in their districts. (2) The difficulties with, and the unsatisfactory position of the reciprocal arrangements existing between patriotic societies form another reason why it is desirable that some such proposal should 3be adopted. (3) In view of the «"i— irableness of a continuance of patriotic administration during the war and for some considerable time thereafter. it is necessary, in the interests of the returned soldier and dependents, that patriotic administration should be unified and consolidated throughout the Dominion. This ■will prevent growing dissatisfaction in some centres. "The fact," continued the Mayor, "that a Dominion Advisory Board has been in existence for some time has not been

overlooked. Upon that Board Auckland has been represented. It would seem, however, that it falls short of what is required and does not deal with the important question of policy referred to. The proposals now submitted would not involve any appreciable increase in the cost of administration—possibly none. Jt will be necessary, however, before the matter can be intelligently considered in detail, to obtain certain information from all the societies, upon, the receipt of which the scheme would be submitted for consideration of your Executive, and if approved would be sent forward for the consideration of other societies. If there appeared to be sufficient support forthcoming, a Dominion conference ■would then follow with a view of completing the scheme. This scheme would be sufficiently elastic to retain to all centres their individuality and their freedom of administration, but there would be a unification of policy both as to methods and r;s to payments to soldiers and dependents which is exceedingly desirable.

"The question as to the terms upon ■which the respective funds are held is important and has a direct bearing upon the proposal. That, however, can only lie determined after information is collected. The question as to the size of the various funds should noL be a determining factor. Just as in the founding of the provincial scheme, the centres of the province were asked to take a larger view than that associated with local interests, so carrying the argument further we pass on to the Dominion scheme for Xew Zealand soldiers."

Tlie whole question was referred to the executive for consideration.