UNIFICATION SCHEME.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15930, 18 June 1917, Page 2

UNIFICATION SCHEME.

DOMINION PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

UNIFORMITY DESIRABLE.

A suggestion that the tune has ar* rivod for consideration of the advisability of attempting the unification of all the patriotic funds of the Doriiinion along tho lines of the Auckland provincial scheme was made by Mr J. H. Gunson, president of the Aifckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association, at the annual meeting of tho Association 0 n Thursday. Thrf principal proposals in this connexion, said Mr Gunson, were submitted from Wellington in August, 1915, but after careful consideration were rejected by the Auckland executive. This decision met with support throughout tho province. The proposals were rejected principally owing to their failure to provide reasonable latitude 'to associated societies in the matter of policy, control, and disbursement of funds. Following the failure of the Dominion proposals of 1915 the patriotic funds \>f tho Auckland province were consolidated and the proposals in respect of a provincial fund matured. "The suggestion I make may, on first thoughts, not fully appeal to members," said Mr Gunson. "but it is felt that upon mature consideration, and with a full knowledge of the facts, that the proposal must commend itself to one and all as warranted, that is, if the suggestion that the first and chief consideration in connexion with the ad-

ministration of patriotic fundi should be the interest of the soldier or tho dependants of soldiers is admitted. In making this suggestion one must take a wider survey that represented by Auckland interests alone. The reasons for tho proposal are: —(1) There is no uniformity at present in the scale of relief or in the policy of the respective societies throughout tho Dominion. This may bo attained without in any way lessening 'tho ability of the respective administrations to meet the needs of the returned soldier or the dependants of soldiers in their districts. (2) The difficulties with, and the unsatisfactory position of, the reciprocal arrangemntsc existing between patriotic societies form another reason why it 'S desirable that some such proposal as now suggested should bo adopted. (3) In view of the desirableness 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 dependants that patriotic administration should be unified and consolidated throughout the Dominion. This will prevent growing dissatisfaction in some centres.

"The fact that a Dominion Advisory Board has been in existence for some time has not been overlooked. 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. It will be necessary, however, before the matter can be intelligently considered in detail, to obtain certain information from all the societies. If there appeared to be sufficient support forthcoming a Dominion conference would follow with a view of completing the scheme." Mr Gtmson added that the result of the scheme would be to create on© very substantial fund under a strong and consistent administration. Such would bo 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 as to payments to soldiers and dependants. This was px- | ceedinglv desirable and absolutely essential if the patriotic funds wer<> to I continue to hold tho deservedly place which work had earned for them among all sections of tho community. The question as to the size of the.various funds should not 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 New Zealand soldiers. On the motion of Mr A. S. Bankart. Mr Gunson's suggestion was .referred to the executive for consideration.