CARE OF SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 15914, 21 September 1915, Page 2

CARE OF SOLDIERS

THE STATE AND PUBLIC FUNDS. MONETARY,ASSISTANCE SOUGHT. ' a ministerill APPEAL. sFrom Ona Parliamentabv Reporter.j TVeEIINGTON, September 21. Th© Minister of Health (Hoh. Mr Russell) made a direct appeal in the House of Representatives last night to the managers of patriotic funds to'assist the State in. the rHattel' of. caring for invalided and wounded soldiers, and finding employment fnl those who required it. He admitted that sonle people would say that such work was the Government's, and acknowledged that it. was so, blit he also made it very ] clear that the Ministers concerned "with the care and employment of returned soldiers desire financial assistance from the various patriotic funds. The Minister explained that neither he nor the Hon. Mr Herdihan (who looks after the provision of employment for returned soldiers) desired to do the work allotted to them without as far- as possible turning to the Minister of Finance for advances from the loan moneys for prosecuting tile Wat. He mentioned tliAt vefjr large Biihts had been taised by the patriotic people of the Dominion for tile benefit of wouridfed and invalided eoldiebs. It was the dbsit© Of Mr Herdman and himself that thbse who controlled these funds would assist them in th© work of restoring returilCd soldiers to health ■ and securing employment foi- tlieni. No funds had yet been placed at the Ministers disposal lot those purposes) aiiil touch reqilired 'to he done., Large Cngagerilehta had heed undertaken both At Rowrttii, add Haflmeri Costly equipment had to be provided, arid M hoped that the managers Of patriotic funds would assist' the' Minister their work of making adequate provision for sick afid woiinded soldiets who required restorative treatment. HO was pleased to say that that dak a, meeting Of the heads of the Public Service had leeolvld to give' of the 'contributions raised within the service to the Mihisters for the. relief, of pressing cases. He acknowledged the generosity 'Of the Piddle Service, and expressed the hope that the executors of, patriotic funds would Assist .the Government in providing t6 the best of ,'therr ability for sick and-wounded BoIdi&S.