HELP FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22080, 30 April 1937, Page 12

HELP FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

CONTROL DISCUSSED AT ANNUAL MEETING

A recommendation that efforts be made by whatever means possible to do away with the necessity lor the general assistance fund of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association was sent on to the new executive by the annual meeting of the, association last night -. J . ■ The suggestion was put forward b.v Mr A. H. Campbell, who said that surely some way could be found, after 21 years, to do away with the necessity for the fund. He said he shuddered to think what would have happened to many returned men if the fund had not existed: «but the time was ripe for preventive measures to do away with the need for the help. "We have for 21 years been working on the principle of giving an occasional crust from the rich mans table," Mi- Campbell said. "Surely it is time to devise a way of giving men the help needed in other ways—by increased pensions, perhaps a new pensions scheme altogether, or a scheme to absorb the men in work." He also suggested that the help of business men in securing unemployed men work should be sought. The recommendation was carried. A request that the meeting should ask for £12,000 during the coming year from the National War Funds Board and the Canteen Funds Board was put forward in a suggestion sponsored by the Rev; F. T. Read. He said that while no one could disagree with Mr Campbell's recommendation, there would be many unemployed needing help. While many tradesmen had in these better times been absorbed in their proper occupations, there were others who were not 100 per cent, fit for work, and they would need assistance in the winter.