CENTRAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3163, 15 August 1917, Page 3

CENTRAL CONFERENCE

OF NEW ZEALAND PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES NOTICES OF MOTION

Tlio monthly jjicotinpr' of the Advisory Board of tho New Zealand Patriotic Societies is to bo hold in the Accountants' Chambers at 10 a.m. to-<ln,v, and the annual conference of delegates of tlio societies is to bo held at the sanio placo at 10.30 a.m. to-morrow. There is a good deal of business to bo done at tlio conference. The following are some of the moro important uoticcs of motion i

Auckland War Relief Association. Pensions.—"That in tlio interests of returned soldiers, many of whom have failed to apprceiato their rights of ap. plication for Government pensions and therefore suffer, the Government be re. quested to make provision whereby foldiers should be required to lodge their applications for Government pensions or signify their non-necessity of a pension at tlio same tiino as receiving their provisional discharge." Care of Mental Cases.—"That the Governbent bo advised that in the opinion of this conference returned soldiers suffering from nourastheria and shell shock should not bo discharged from the Forces while unable, owi.'ig to their condition, to sufficiently cava for themselves, and that returned soldiers in that condition should be afforded suitable treatment before being discharged, and thus be subject to continued military discipline, which is essential to their recovery."' Qualifications for Assistance.—"That the affiliated societies bo advised that assistance from the patriotic funds should not generally be declined to returned soldiers upon the ground that they may not be entirely without money at tho time of applying for assistance, a« ?":'h a. course would be placing a premium upon thriftlessncss, awl do injuMico is many cases to deserving men wlw, by their steadiness and thrift, have cured a little money which will be absorbed in their personal needs or in re-estab-lishing themselves. In many such cosea reasonable assistance from the patriotic funds is due, would afford satisfaction to

I the donors of the fund, and at the same ; ti'ne be thoroughly deserved by the apl plicant." Assistance to Men Discharged from Training Camps—"That the-conference affirm the desirability of all patriotic associations assisting men in necessitous circumstances who have been .discharged from the training camps, as a large number of such men have made great personal sacrifices. On their return to civilian life considerable hardship is often experienced, and in many cases there is an inability arising from their breakdown, in camp or from the strain of training to follow previous occupations." "That notwithstanding tli© recent concessions of four weeks' pay and pension rights granted by the Government to men in these circumstances, the conference is of opinion that assistance from the patriotic associations in necessitous cases is desirable."

Dominion Policy to Uniformity in Administration and Scale of Relief.—"That this executive affirms the desirability of immediate effect being given to the proposal contained in the remit from the Canterbury Patriotic Society as to a generally uniform policy for the Dominion in respect of administration of patriotic funds, also in regard to a scale of assistance which will lie a guide subject to reasonable discretion."

Gisborne Defence Committee. "In giving reli.ef to returned soldiers, patriotic societies (should Tecogniso ft basis as to their liabilities which would be uniform over the wholo Dominion. This committee/ considers that the district Whero tho man enlisted from should constitute 6uch basis." "That in view of the number of men who break down while undergoing training and are discharged or are given leave without pay, a recommendation be made to the Defence authorities that a more Careful and thorough medical examination be made before the men aro sent into camp." "In view of tho inability _of tho public generally to continue their voluntary subscriptions, owing to tho hoavy weight of special war taxation, it is desirable that the Government relieve the various patriotic societies by imposing extra taxation for further relief of returned soldiers, on such a general basis as shall ensure that the weight may fall in just and fair proportion on all those who contribute." "That this conference bo urged to seriously consider tho disabled soldiera question, with a view of doing all that is possible to mnlce them physically lit, and nt the same time to teach them something that will benefit them in their future career, in justice to the individual and from an economic point ot view of the country." , "That, the Government be asked to pay the public hospital expenses of wives and children of eoldiers at the front.

Ranpitikei Patriotic Society. "That the Government policy of placing returned soldiers upon /'highly improved land and close to centres of .settlement should be maintained so far as wounded unfit men are concerned, as it is evident that a great percentage of returned sol<liers cannot be sent back and settled upon forest or open lands until they havo fully recovered from tho hardships of suck an intense war, tout that tho Government continue to urge medically fit men to take up land." "That tho Government should associate with the Land Purchase Board cno or more experienced farmers in eacn district where the land is intended to bo purchased for returned soldiers, 60 that expert advice may be obtained as to Uio quality of the land and the price which can lie paid, having in view. the tact that very few soldiers are possessed ot sufficient or oven any oapital, and will depend for at least two years upon advances to help them along m tlwir struggle to make for thouiselves a profitable living." . u , "That when 60ldiers are allotted sections, roads of access should first bo formed, particularly in the case of milkin" farms; also that advances required by" soldiers beyond the amount provided lw tho Government should bo made by local patriotic societies under the advice of the Executive Committee, ?ntl such advances up to ,£IOO should bo recouped by tho Government to the societies when actually made to assist the iej turned soldiers to cultivate their farms.

From the War Relief Association, Wellington. "That 011 a returned soldier ljeing found work by the Government the Government should provide the soldici with a pass to his destination. . "That the Financial .Assistance Board should be empowered to assist sailors and. their dependants in tho same way as soldiers anil their dependants are nowbeing helped." From Canterbury Patriotic Fund, * Christchurch. "That the recommendation of the Advisory Board, that the domicile of tho soldier or sailor for three months prior to enlistment shall determine the responsibility of the respective societies, ami in the event of tho soldier or sailor not having resided in the district for three months the place of enlistment to determine the responsibility, bo adopted. Poldiers' Financial Assistance Board. "That tho Soldiers' Financial Assistance Hoard be urged to supply patriotic SCCIO- - periodically with schedules jjivins details of assistance rendered to soldwra dependants, to enable such societies to determine whether additional assistant is necessary*'

From South Canterbury War Relief* Society. Domicile—'"That tho domicile of tho soldier which shall determine the society that is responsible shall be that stated in his attestation papor or in tho official "Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board."Tliat representation be made to tho Government urffins that the applicants for financial assistance be not required tn State the assistance obtained tram patriotic societies, or if the information is still required the Soldiers Finauci.il Assistance Board do not take suin grants into account when considering the application." Pension Renewals.— I hat where a pensioner has been re-examined lor n renewal of his pension by a lioard other than that which examined him origm:i,jy mid is dissatisfied with the amount jf 'renewal, he shall )k> entitled to reexamination by tlio board which f.rst Biamined him, whero possible.