HELP FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 223, 20 September 1929, Page 3

HELP FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION'S WORK. DEMANDS STILL HEAVY. GRAXT TO XIGHT SHELTER. The number of cases of serious war disablement continues to be larse," stated a report which was presented yesterday at the quarterly meeting of the executive of the Auckland Provincial Patiiotic and War Relief Association. Sir James Gunson presiding. The report added that in another group of returned men, namely, those who are suffering from slight disability, the Claims Board had experienced a very large volume of work. Regarding the former group, namely, those suffering obvious and severe disability, in most cases pensions relative to the condition of the men wore held, but these were often insufficient for bare necessities, and supplementation by extended votes from the "A" fund had been and still was. necessary in many cases, particularly where there was sickness and need for special attention.' This was the form of assistance in which probably the best work of the association was being done, especially where those concerned are married men with families. Hardship of Slight Disablement. In regard to the slightly disabled men there were many in this group who could obtain work did their condition permit them to follow their pre-war occupation, but even a slight disablement very frequently prevented the resumption of the work. This threw the men into the unemployed group. In most cases the pensions were slight to meet their disabilities, and assistance from the "A" fund had been required throughout the period by a very large number of this group. •'There is no question as to the availability of the '"A" fund to any case within the above two classes," continued the report. "Your committee, however, continues to exercise its discretion on a wider basis, for where it is established that men who have suffered war disability, but who have seemingly recovered, are now suffering hardship from sickness or domestic causes, your committee, realising that frequently war conditions are a factor to such hardship, has rendered, and continues to render, appropriate assistance. Great care, however, is exercised to see that the funds are not exploited. This work has been, and must continue to be, one at the discretion of the committee who carefully considers the question of war disability. Patriotic funds from the outset have been viewed as representing an administration much more elastic than the lines on which Government pensions are administered."

The number of cases considered was 1054. Of this number assistance was granted 753 applicants, and 301 applications were declined or deferred 'to southern patriotic societies for consideration. The assistance voted amounted to £2545 14/11. Unemployment Relief Payments. A report was also submitted dealing with the activities of "B" fund, which is not earmarked for disabled soldiers and their dependents. The Claims Board stated that it continued to act for the National Wau Funds Council in disbursing funds for unemployment relief. During the past quarter, two sums of £250 each out of the £5000 allocated for New Zealand had been received, and the greater part of the money had been expended. There was now a credit balance of £539.

A deputation from the Anglican City Mission recently waited on the board, pointing out that of an average of 115 men accommodated nightly at its shelter, about half were ex-soldiers. A grant of £100 had been made towards the support of the shelter.

The finance committee reported that the funds of the association in hand on May 31 amounted to £120,066 12/8. Since that date the sum of £2824 5/7 had been received for interest on investments, £1149 2/4 refunds from southern patriotic societies, and £6 10/ for donations, making a total of £124,046 10/7. The expenditure under all headings since May 31, 1029, amounted to £3567 11/7, leaving a balance on hand' on August 31 of £120,478 19/.