PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 47, 23 February 1917, Page 2

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES

ADVISORY BOARD'S MEETING

The Advisory Board of the New Zealand Federation of Patriotic Societies, at its meeting yesterday (Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp presiding), discussed Mr. W. P. Kirkwood's motion to increase the Government advance of £500 made to soldiers going on to the land up to a maximum of £1000. His reasons were published in The Post last evening. He regarded the Government scheme as a gocd investment for the Government, Tor it gave absolute control over the property, and the best possible, security that could be offered. ■■'■•. ' : ■

Mr. Hope Gibbons (Wanganui) said the idea of discussion on the subject between himself and the Commissioner of Crown Lands was that the sections should not be too large. They should not treat the meif who were not going on the land better than those who were. He thought the' £500 would meet the cases the Government had in view. The right.'man with chat help would do very well on unimproved land, and those on dairying land- would do better. All the committees with which he was associated were convinced that, the Government was treating the returned soldier desiring to go on the land handsomely.

Mi 1. KirkwoocT moved that the maximum grant of £500 be increased to £1000. . . ,

vMr. Dougall moved as an amendment: "That the matter be referred to the Lands Committee, with the request that a report be .brought down at next meeting." . Hon. ,T. T. Paul said there was some uncertainty in the public mind as to what the. Government was doing to put soldiers on the land. It was _ useless to put a soldier on virgin bush land, where the chances were all against him 1.".. He thought he was going to a paradise, whereas he went to a wilderness. The land most suitable for returned soldiers was that near to the' railway. Mr. Kirkwood said the country might be all right, bnt the' trouble was that the soldier couldn't finance the undertaking., ,: The amendment was carried : MOTOR BOAT PATROL. The members of the Motor Boat Patrol going from Now Zealand being, paid on the Imperial scale, the board decided torequest the New Zealand Government to supplement the income .-of dependents of single men joining the Motor Boat Patrol so that the.same could bo brought up to an equivalent of the income derived ( by dependents of soldiers serving with the Expeditionary Forces. ; A SARTORIAL DIFFICULTY. The 30s granted by the . Government to enable discharged soldiers to purchase civilian clothes was discussed, and- it was proposed by Mr. Dpugall (Canterbury) to urge the Government. to raise, the allowance to £5. The matter was left to a deputation to bring under the notice of-the Minister. DISCHARGE OF SOLDIERS. Mr. Dougall then requested,the board to urge upon the Defence Department iniat no soldier should be discharged: in indifferent health until his case shall have been enquired into and decided upon by the Pensions Board. Mr. - Lamer said the whole question revolved on the slowness of the Pensions Commissioners. The .man should not be discharged until his pension was paid to 'him. . , -. ■ This matter was also referred to the deputation to the Minister.