SECOND N.Z.E.F.

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 111, 11 May 1940, Page 14

SECOND N.Z.E.F.

PATRIOTIC WORK

CONFERENCE NEXT WEEK

IMPORTANT MATTERS

A number of important questions relating to future patriotic activities in New Zealand and the after-care and rehabilitation of the members of the Second New Zealand ExpeditionaryForce are to be discussed at a conference in Wellington next week between the National Patriotic Council, the National Patriotic Fund Board, and representatives from the eleven provincial patriotic councils. The conference is to take place on Thursday in the old Legislative Council* Chambers, Parliament House.

The standing committee of the National Patriotic Council has prepared a memorandum on various matters as a basis of discussion. The first proposal is that the duties of the National Patriotic Fund Board and the provincial councils be more clearly defined, in the light of the experience of the past eight months, and in this connection suggestions • will be submitted as to the functions of these respective bodies. AFTER-CARE AND REHABILITATION. The question of the after-care and rehabilitation of returned men is one upon which, a number cf suggestions will be put forward. It is the most important matter for discussion. The principle upon which it will be suggested that this work should be carried out provides for the provincial councils setting up through their provinces after-care committees consisting of certain nominated representatives, these committees to be provided with an imprest account. There will also be placed before the conference a recommendation that all provincial councils adopt a uniform method of dealing with the after-care of soldiers. The board has sought the views of all the larger patriotic societies of the 1914-18 war on this subject, and it has prepared a number of questions for discussion as to the nature and extent of the assistance that' should be provided under this heading. NO MORE NATIONAL APPEALS. Another proposal is to make no more national appeals for funds after the completion of the sick, wounded, and relief of distress appeal, except in the event of some unforeseen circumstance or a major calamity, when an appeal would be made through the newspapers only. This suggestion is made contingent upon the provincial councils, as from a date to be decided, paying to the National Fund a proportion of their collections. If this proposal is not acceptable, the suggested alternative is that the National Fund be given certain specified times in each province to make an appeal. The board has in view the possibility of being called upon to grant assistance overseas from the National Fund, in the case, say, of destruction by air raids in Britain. In addition, it is felt that the National Fund should be in the position of being able to assist various wartime efforts overseas should the necessity arise. PROVINCIAL FUNDS. If the suggestions as to the duties of the board and the provincial counI cils in the future are adopted, it*will be necessary for the provincial funds to be increased considerably, mainly to provide for after-care and rehabilitation work. The National Fund would ibe left to provide Empire relief and further money for comforts overseas and sick and wounded, and it would also be a reservoir for funds for aftercare assistance, the suggestion in this latter connection being that the balance of the money, other than special trust funds, in the National Fund at the end of the war be held to assist provincial funds. A further suggestion concerns the constitution of the provincial councils. If they are not already so constituted, it provides for their membership being truly representative of the province as a whole.