PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 297, 13 December 1917, Page 2

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

I A BRIEF REVIEW. HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION". A brief review of the work of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Uelief Association was given by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Uuieon) this morning, although, of course, a comprehensive review cannot be given in detail until tlir end of the financial year in March next. Mr. Gunsoti stated at the outset that the offices of the Association would be closed from December 21 till January 7, but the Claims Board would make arrangements for urjjent cases to be heard from time to time, and assistance extended where necessary. In regard to thia it would be advisable for returned soldiers now in Auckland, who desired assistance, to make application in good time, so that their cases could be heard by tho Board on Tuesday next, in ordc that the necessary assistance might be extended over the holidays. The work of the office, continued Mr. Ounson, had been exceedingly heavy during the year, and, taking everything into consideration, it was thought best to close the office entirrly for' Christmas and the New Year. This would allow the staff a complete vest without that disturbance thnt was entailed when only 4 portion of the members were allowed to go at a time. Under tho present arrangement the whole of the Staff would resume after the Xew Year, and there would be no further break in the work at tho office, during the coming year. All the branches of tho Association reported that matters were running smoothly, tbe work of administration along the lines laid down apparently giving satisfaction to both soldiers and dependents. 'I lie policy of interchange of views, which had been adopted not only between tho ' Auckland branches, but between tint many federated patriotic societies, had proved invaluable. This was in the interests of the soldiers and dependents generally, and at tho same timo prevented in exceptional onsen nny exploitation of the funds. Tho financial year ot,the Association did not end till March, and there Was nothing special, therefore, , at the present time to ropert, but it was clear now that the operations for the present year would bo considerably in excess of those of tho previous year, particularly in the number of cases dealt with, which also, «f course, involved relatively increased demands. The Claims Board had under consideration the requirements of many returned soldiers, who had appeared before the Board from time to time in regard to the question of suitable accommodation in tho city. The Board was now considering the whole question with a view to submitting a statement to the noxt meeting of the oxecutivo It was admitted that the present club accommodation was excellent, but there certainly Beefnpd to be needed some bostel accommodation and this, as intimated, wad now bcinf considered in the interests of tho returned soldiers who had no home in Auckland, and whose circumstances were such that they needed some place of the kind at which to stay. The time had arrived when tho numbers of these men were such that accommodation of this kind mignt be necessary. If it wero finally found to be bo it would at onco be provided on an adequate and satisfactory scale.

The hospital and medical treatment, which the Government wns now affording had largely ovorcomo the feature of this need, which for some time was very apparent, nnd the system under which discharged men with a recurroneo of sickness or wound troubles could return to the hospital for further treatment was greatly appreciated. But though it bad removed one feature of the need for hostel accommodation, there still remained a considerable number whoso needs were not fully met by this provision, and who still needed careful attention, and consideration. Ho thought tho correct view to tako of all these cases was tnat the condition of many of tho returned soldicrg arose absolutely from sickness or wounds received while on active service, and anything that could be done for them under those circumstances Wag hOt only a duty and obligation, but should be a pleasure to the citizens. It was gratifying to know, as the result of the year's work that tho cases where the assistance of the Association liad been abused were very few, and that by far the larger majority of mcn —in fact, it might be put that there was a very small percentage of the men, indeed, who were not deserving of the help offered, and fully appreciative of the work that had been done. At the end 6f" March a comprehensive statement would oe made of tho work throughout the province. It had to be borne in mind that Auckland was merely the head office, and that thero were twentytwo branches throughout the province that were doing important work. Among all of these there was a spirit of cooperation and a steady progression of the work.