The Dominion THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1916. THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2697, 17 February 1916, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1916. THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS

It will be most regrettable if the Conference which is to be opened in the Town Hall to-day fails to arrive at a clear understanding regarding the administration of the patriotic funds. The present chaotic slate of affairs is sorely trying tho patience of the public*. The people who have ao generously subscribed tho money have a right to expect that it will be used for the purposes for which it has been given, and that a' definite plan of operations will be devised without further delay. It is high time that the administrative machinery was in thorough working order. The matter has been discussed from every point of view. The Conference should now be in a position to pass on from controversy to decision and action. It is a pity that the Auckland Society has decided to stand aloo c , "Instead of uniting with the otl'er societies in an endeavour to frame a bro*d-based and businesslike scheme, which would embrace tho whole Dominion in its operations and in which due provision would be made for local management and guidance. But, however disappointing Auckland's separatist attitude may be, it would be a mistake for the Conference to waste time in striving for an unattainable ideal. The delegates must lie content to deal with the situation as they find it, and to make the best arrangements possible in the_ existing circumstances. If the ideally best is out of reach, the second best must be accepted. The aim should be to secure the greatest amount of unity and co-operation that is within reach. It is essential that some standard should be agreed to in order that all those who are entitled to benefit by the various funds shall receive equality of treatment in accordance with their needs. The amount of help a disabled soldier or a dependent is given should not depend upon his place of residence. K'ew Zealand as a whole is responsible for the proper treatment o f the men who have fought as New Z»valanders and for New Zealand. In a matter of this kind parochial considerations should > be set aside and provincial barriers obliterated. The whole ground should be covered in a systematic manner, and ovcry case dealt with in accordance with a dofinite and comprehensive plan. If a national scheme is out of reach, provision should be made for close and regular co-operation and consultation between tho various patriotic committees. It is only by careful organisation and mutual help that neglect and overlapping can be avoided.

The administration of the patriotic funds cannot be placed on a workable basis until the Government makes its position quite clear. The public has a right to know exactly where the responsibilities of . the State cease and the duties of the patriotic societies begin. It is the business of the Government to see that the funds are used for the purnoses for which they were collected, but the Government must bear in mind that the voluntary givers strongly object to their donations beim? used for the purpose of reducing the amount that ought rightly to be taken from the pockets of the taxpayers. Ministers, arc themselves responsible in a large measure for the impression that the Government wants to secure a share of the .patriotic funds for needs that should be paid for out of public moneys. It w well to have the Prime Minister's definite assurance that the Government has no such intention. As long_ as the_ funds are being administered in accordance with the law the less'' the Government intertoes with the affairs of the patriotic societies the better for all concerned. We understand that the Minister of Internal Affairs is to make a statement to the Conference regarding the intentions of the Government, and defining the sphere of State action in reference to the claims of sick and wounded soldiers and their dependents, and the dependents of those who have fallen. It is to he hoped that the statement will ho sufficiently explicit and comprehensive to remove the uncertainty that at present exists, and to do away with the possibility of further friction and unpleasantness. We are entitled to assume that Mr. Russell's declaration of policy will take the form of an amplification of the Prime Minister's recent assurance that the Government will do its full duty to the soldiers out of the public funds under its own control. The public are waiting to know what the Government considers "its full duty" to be. It is very important that this point should be cleared up. An unmistakable line of demarcation between the functions of the Government and' those of the patriotic societies would save a great deal of unnecessary trouble and confusion, and make the way plain for the societies and committees to go straight on with their proper work. The public expect the money they have subscribed to bo used, not hoarded up. Parsimony must he avoided as well as waste. Help should be promptly and generously given wherever the need for help exists. Eighteen moifths have now gone by since the commencement of the war. and there- should be no further delay in preliminaries. The necessary machinery for the systematic disbursal of the funds should, forthwith be set going.