WRONG PRINCIPLE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 27, 1 February 1923, Page 8

WRONG PRINCIPLE

GIFTS FROM WAR FUNDS

TARANAKI SYSTEM. DIS-

APPROVED.

A system of'giving cash- grants to dis abled men, which was recently adopted by the Taranaki Relief Association, came under, criticism at a meeting of the Advisory Board to-day. A report was submitted showing that a system of grants to men according to their disability was instituted, and the funds in hand at the time were- distributed except for £11,000. The. War Funds Office had disapproved of further on this basis,, and a deadlock had been reached.

Mr. W. P. Kirkwood (Taranaki) said that £23,000 had been paid to necessitous cases before the scheme was adopted ; £30,000 had been paid out under the distribution schemes, and about £9500 remained. They felt in honour bound to pay out two-thirds of this £9500 to the remaining men who would have benefited under the scheme had it been completed. The remaining third was to be held for necessitous cases which might arisf. In the £30,000 paid out as gifts, the money was given to disabled men, and not ono case of abuse of the gift had been reported. A member: " They must be remarkable men in Taranaki."

The opinion was expressed by Mr. V. J. Lamer (Auckland) that Taranaki ,-had made a very serious blunder in administration of the funds. „It. had been on a wrong economic basis. Money should not be given to the men.

Mr. Kirkwood said every case had been considered on its merits.

Mr. J. J. Dougall (Christchurch) said it had been thought in informal discussions, on the. Taranaki scheme, that il; was not in accord with general opinion as to the proper method of distribution. Ho thought the £9500 should go to the War Funds Council for necessitous cases arising from disability. . . •'

Mr. H.. J. .Farrant sakl it had been pointed out at the last meeting of the board that the desire of Taranaki had been to reduce its funds to save cost of administration.- He thought the remaining funds should be forwarded to the council. • .

It was decided to reaffirm tho board's previous , motion, . that the Taranaki scheme was not approved.

A motion that the remaining. funds be handed to the War Funds Council was lost by five votes to four. It was then decided that the balanca of th* futid flit-mid be uioj for us«««ti< tou« CM4S only,