EX-SOLDIERS IN DISTRESS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20566, 7 June 1932, Page 7

EX-SOLDIERS IN DISTRESS.

CRITICISM OF RATIONS SCHEME. ACTIVITIES OP ASSOCIATION. . Because of the likelihood of its funds for the purpose running short, the executive of the Christchurch Koturned Soldiers' Association last night discussed a proposal to restrict the activities of its. Benevolent .Committee, but ultimately decided to carry on. During the discussion it was stated that the Government's new rationing scheme aimed at lighteuing the burden of relief to distressed citizens at present; carried by Hospital Boards, and putting it on the shoulders of social workers.

A Serious Matter. Keporting on the work of the Association's Benevolent Committee, the Eev. F. T. Bead said that there had been a large increase in the number of applications for relief. During the last two weeks no fewer than 349 applications had been dealt with at a cost of £I3S. This was a serious mattci'. , In view of the burden at present being carried by the Association he considered that the Benevolent Committee should restrict its relief activities to the supply of rations and firewood, and not continue to issue boots and shoes. He believed that up to the present a good number of returned men had been living on their reserves of capital, but had now come to the end of their ■esources. , The large majority of men with whom he had come in contact were, he felt sure, bona fide cases. He had come across many cases of need which the Association's unemployment officer (Mr E. M. Grant) could endorse. It was for the executive to state if the committee was to carry on as long as it was able to do so. He moved that until the committee knew the decision of the Dominion Conference of the Association in regard to financial assistance it should restrict its activities as stated. In seconding the motion, Mr W. b. Leadley stated that a remit had been sent forward asking for a grant of £2O 000 from the Canteen Fund Board, and'of £SOOO from the National War Fund Until it was known if these amounts would be available he agreed that the committee should act with caution He considered that, as the Keel Cross Association had resurrected its war-time organisation, returned men would not be neglected. "It would be a calamity if We came to the end of our resources in the dead of winter, he added. Bed Cross Association. The secretary (Mr E. F. Willcox) stated that the Bed Cross Association was doing great work and was already supplying the needs of a largenumber of families. Mr Bead stated that the committee had granted 69 pairs of boots and shoes to members of the Association during the past two weeks Mr A L Emerson said that the Association 'appeared to have been doing a good deal of work winch should bo done bv the Government. Eations should be supplied by the Hospital Board the Association supplying boots, clothing, and perhaps blankets. Ho

added that there wore some men wh'j were ai'raid to accept work in labour camps because they would have to take with them blankets which were needed at their homes. Mr Read stated that alter having heard the new Government rationing scheme explained by the officer in charge of the Labour Bureau (Mr R. T. Bailey) he had come to the conclusion that the Government was taking away responsibilities from the Hospital Board and passing them on to the social workers of the City. The more that was given by the depots the less the Government would give. "Has the Government the right to demand particulars of the assistance we give?" asked Mr Chisnall. "Yes," answered Mr J. S. Chisholm. "It is quite wrong," commented Mr S. F. Marshall. Mr G. W. Lloyd: If Mr Leadley knows that we w'ill not get £SOOO, he should let us know where he has obtained his information. I have boon told that we will get a substantial amount from the Canteen Fund. "I hope you arc right," said Mr Leadley. Mr Lloyd: lam right. Don't you worry about that.

Assistance to Men in Camps. Mr Lloyd added that somo time ago the Association had decided to give assistance to men going into camp, and now it was aiming at them nothing. The Association had still between £6OO and £ 700 to work on, and there was more to come to hand from the Canteen Fund. Mr Read agreed to withdraw his motion and it was decided, on the motion of Mr R. M. Grant, that the Benevolent Committee should carry on as at present, and that the committee should submit a report on the question to a subsequent meeting. A motion was carried expressing appreciation of the action of the Red Cross Association in bringing its wartime organisation into operation again for the relief of distress among returned soldiers and their dependents.

NEEDS OF EX SOLDIERS. MEETING OP EXECUTIVE OP ASSOCIATION. A mooting of the executive of. the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association was held last night, when there were present: Messrs H. Eleek (chairman), W. E. Leadley, E. W. Smith, C. Chisnall, E. M. Graut, G. W. Lloyd, J. S. Chisholm, S. I<\ Marshall, G. A. Dabourn, A. L. Emerson, E. L, Neale, G. A. Hayden, and the Rev. F. T. Read. The i Jinan ce committee reported that arrangements were being made for a membership campaign to combat recent legislation against the interests of returned soldiers. It was reported that the financial membership on May 31st stood at 1008, about 200 more than at the corresponding period last year. Twenty-two now members were elected.

Relief Work for Pensioners. The secretary of the Dominion Returned Soldiers' Association (Mr S. J. Harrison) wrote with reference to the question of the consideration of war pensions in the granting of relief work, advising that as a result of the Dominion executive meeting on May 24th a deputation waited on the Min-

istcr for Employment (the Rt. Hon. j J. G. Coatos) the same day. j The attitude of the 'Minister, stated i the letter, was one of entire sympathy j with the representations made, namely, that the pension should be exeirjpt in the granting of relief work, and that the system should be made uniform throughout the Dominion. From the information Mr Coates gave during the interview it was shown that minutes were passing to and fro on" the subject, and it was being looked into from every aspect. It was felt that success would follow the Association's representations. One of the deputation had arranged to interview Mr i J. S. Jessep, chairman of the Employment Board, regarding the matter at an early date. Headquarters was fully seized with the importance of the matter and was doing all it could to have it remedied. The letter was received. Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Scheme. In reply to a letter from the Association enquiring as to whether the proposal to hypothecate the reserves in vested in * the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Account meant that no finance would be availale for the settlement of ex-soldiers under the Act, the Minister for Finance (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) wrote stating that the Association was no doubt aware that for a number of years past the advances made out of the account had been made mainly on current account, with the object of assisting soldier settlers -with the improvement and Stocking of their farms, and that loans for the purchase of farms or the purchase and/or erection of dwellings had been confined principally to ex-soldiers suffering from a war disability of at least 50 per cent., or from tuberculosis. With the general fall in revenue due to the present depression, continued the letter, the amount which the Discharged Soldiers', Settlement Account from its mortgage investments had been able to contribute to the Consolidated Fund towards interest on the capital involved had fallen far short of the actual amount accruing, and it had accordingly been necessary to restrict further advances on current account as much as possible. While it was regretted that new loans generally could not be approved, even on the limited | basis in operation prior to the depression, all applications in this connexion would be considered on their merits. On the motion of Mv W. E. Leadley, it was decided to send a copy of the letter to the Dominion headquarters at Wellington. It was also decided that the matter be gone fully into and reported on to the Dominion conference, which is shortly to be held.