PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15723, 17 October 1916, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

OF DEFENCE

REPLY TO CRITICISMS

(srECIAJ. to "the teess.")

WELLINGTON, October 16

Some months ago an appeal was made by the Defence Minister to tho Patriotic Societies of New Zealand for regular subscriptions to the amount of £3000 per month for comforts for sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers in hospitals abroad. The societies responded to the appeal, and the money is paid by them to the Internal Affairs Department, and is remitted Home on the instructions of the Minister of Defence. In England some of the money is administered by tho New Zealand War Contingent Association and some by the High Commissioner. In Christchurch, at a meeting of the Patriotic Society, it was stated that the Minister had not been remitting this money regularly: that he had, in fact, withheld it, and that in the meantime funds wcro needed at Home. This statement, or similar statements, have been made elsewhere in New Zealand.

"It is totally incorrect," said the Defence Minister, when the statement was brought under his notice to-night. "Moneys have-been sent Home regularly, and both tho High Commissioner and the War Contingent Association had good balances in hand a few days ago. I have always been careful to see that they have plenty of money in hand. On September 30t,h the balance in the High Commissioner's fund wholly for comforts for sick and wounded was £'9336. and at the same time tho War Contingent Association had in hand £3158. In addition, the Association has a special account for Red Cross remittances, and tho balaneo to credit of that account was at that da to £2142. Where is there tho shortage of money? I get a monthly report, as to how the balances stand. This I havo arranged for the High Commissioner to send, and the figures I have given you are from his last monthly report. Tho societies have decided not to subscribe tho October quota.,, and I havo told them there is no need for tho money. There is sufficient in hand. I don't think there will be any necessity for them to pay tho "November .quota, but I am not prepared to say so until I havo seen the High Commissioner's statement of accounts, which I expect to get very soon. It is true that the, hospitals arc full now, but these extra comforts are small tliines, and the balances in hand should suffice to provide all that are needed. It should be remembered that the Government provides all necessaries; those gift moneys are for extra comforts only, such ap tobacco, cipnrottes. motor-car rides,' and so on. "Tho Government has never refused any demand for money for tho hospitals at Home. Not long ago I was asked for funds for a socia] hall at Sling. I replied: 'Erection of hall for 500 men at Sling is approved, and if you and General Richardson consider further accommodation is required this also is approved.' Subsequently they telegraphed that tho haH was to be at Hornehurch and not at Sling. The Government also found £4000 for a hostel for men on leave from the front.

■"I understand thero are complaints about tho discipline in New Zealand hospitals. lam porfectly certain there is no vexations discipline in the hospitals in England under New Zealand control. lam also satisfied, however, that it is necessary to have a certain amount of discipline in the hospitals—this in the interests of the men whom we want to get back to health. lam quite certain that General Richardson with his staff is perfectly well able to deal with all these matters satisfactorily and to look after the best interests of New Zealanders. I think it is a very great pity that anybody should get the idea that m hospital discipline ought not to exist."

Interviewed by a "Wairarapa Age" reporter the Hon. James Allen mentioned that the fund for sick and wounded soldiers abroad was under his control by arrangement with a previous Minister of Internal Affairs