PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Evening Star, Issue 16032, 8 February 1916, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

OTAGO ASSOCIATION to be represented at 'conference. Despite strong expressions of opinion by a big majority of members at former meetings that the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association should not attend any further conferences in connection with the control of funds raised for patriotic purposes, a special meeting (sparsely attended) of that body this morning decided that the matter be referred to the Soldiers and Dependents' Welfare Committee with instructions to make arrangements to be represented by delegates at the conference to be held in Wellington on the 17th inst. In the absence of His Worship the Mayor Mr G. L. Denniston presided. Mr G. A. Lewin (hou. secretary) explained that the meeting had been called at the suggestion of the Mayor on the receipt of a circular letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs, and of communications from several of the patriotic societies in other centres. Although it had been already decided that the association should not be represented at the conference, His Worship had thought that the executive should have a further opporfunity of discussing the matter. Mr Lewin then read the. circular letter from the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, which stated that the replies from the various patriotic societies to a request for an expression of opinion as to whether another conference was desirable indicated that a large majority were in favor of such a. conference being held. The Minister had therefore decided to convene a conference of patriotic societies administering war funds, to be held in Wellington on February 17 inst., and suggested that the societies should hold special meetings and compile a list of suggestions to be discussed at the conference. The subjects for consideration, as suggested by the Minister, are:— Defining the area, within which each society shall operate; (2) organisation and membership of the societies ; (3) ohjects of the societies; (4) uniform scale of benefits, subject to necessary limitations ; (5) treatment of the discharged soldiers as regards (a) health, (c) monetary assistance for clothing, railway, coach, and steamer fares, etc.. id| employment, (e) such other matters as may be considered desirable, (f) assistance to widows and children, parents and dependents ; (6) establishment of homes, hostels. clubs, etc., for discharged soldiers; and (7) visitation of men in hospitals and supervision of those who are out-patients. —Otner Societies' Views. Letters were received from various patriotic societies. The secretary of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund wrote forwarding a resolution carried by them to the effect that the invitation of the Minister be accepted, but that, in the meantime, patriotic associations be written to urginc them to present a united front in dealing with matters set out in the circular. The letter added that the executive, viewed with some alarm the attempt of the Minister of Internal Affairs to shift the responsibility which they considered should attach to the Government, on to the various patriotic societies. The executive were also of the. opinion that it should be plainly expressed at the conference that the funds of; the various associations have been subscribed entirely for the purpose of supplementing any Government pension, and to meet cases of necessity to dependents when such pensions are not. available.—The secretary of the Gisbornc Defence Committee wrote suggesting that, tho invitation to the conference be declined until the Government had formulated a definite scheme for consideration.—The secretary of the North Otago Soldiers' Fund wrote inquiring whether the Otago Association had decided to be represented at the conference.—The secretary of the Southland Patriotic Committee wrote notifying that his committee had decided to be represented at the conference in Wellington, and suggesting that a. conference of Otatro and Southland delegates should be held in Dunedin on the 14th inst. —Tho Matter Discussed.— The Hon. J. T. Paul said that had sufficient time been devoted to the discussion oE matters brought forward at the previous conference the proposed further conference would not be necessary. But there were many things which required attention, and the questions which would arise more closely concerned the committee which this association had set up to administer the fund. There was the problem of the Government's and the association's _ share in the responsibility and of the distribution of relief. He suggested that if the association decided to be represented they should refer tho matter to the Soldiers' Welfare Committee with a recommendation.

The Rev. R. S. Gray thought that, except as a matter of courtesy to the Minister, it would suffice if the. committee forwarded their views in writing, much on the lines of the Canterbury committee's suggestions. Mr J." L. Sahnond feared that if the association were not represented certain measures might bo passed with which they did not agree, but which thev would be bound to accept if thev became law. Mr C. R. Smith moved—"That the matter be referred to the Soldiers and Dependents' Welfare Committee with power to act." This committee-, he said, were fully representative of the associa-

tion, and were in close touch with their affairs; were perhaps even in a better position to judge as to what should be done than the association as a whole. Mr Salmond seconded the motion. _ Mr J. Loudon considered that the association should say whether or not they shoidd be represented. He moved as an amendment—" That in the opinion of this_ meeting it is desirable that the association should bo represented at the conference."

Mr C. Spcniht said he supported Mr Smith's motion. It was verv probable that the Soldiers' Welfare 'Committee would send as their representatives His Worship the Mayor, Mr Tanl, and another. It was suggested that the motion and the amendment might be amalgamated, and Mr Smith eventually altered his motion to read—"That the matter bo referred to the Soldiers and Dependents' Welfare Committee with instructions to make arrangements to be represented by delegates at the conference. Mr Paul said he objected to the funds being used to supplement pensions which should bo adequate to the men's needs. Should a healthy man get killed or maimed the. pension allowed should be sufficient without any call on the association's funds. There were any number of channels for the useful distribution of these funds, and it should be insisted that the Government do their dntv. Mr Smith's motion as amended was carried unanimously.