EX-SOLDIERS ASSISTED

Evening Star, Issue 19045, 14 September 1925, Page 6

EX-SOLDIERS ASSISTED

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE'S MEETING GREATER NEED THAN EVER. I That there is a greater need than ever for the funds of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association , was the most important statement made : at the quarterly meeting of the Execu- ' live Committee this morning. Those present were Messrs J. J. Clark (in the chair), C. Speight, D. E. Theomin, J. L. Salmond, J. 1L Shaddock, J. M. White, and J. T. Pan!. Air Clark, in moving the adoption of the report of Die Otago Soldiers and Dependents’ Welfare Committee, said that during the quarter there had been 161 applicants lor assistance, and in only eighteen cases was assistance not granted in one form or another. The committee was finding that it had more to do now than at any other period of its existence. While the claims were not so great numerically, the class of man applying for assistance showed that assistance was needed probably more than ever before. Ale.n who had gone to tho war with the main body, and of whom the committee had previously heard nothing, were now making applications for relief. They had broken down in health, and misfortune had overtaken them through no fault of their own. Many "of those men were discharged quite’ lit from the Army, and their medical records showed that they did not sillier from any disability during their period in the Army. Tho committee was quite satisfied, however, that their condition was due largely, though not entirely, to the strain and hardships of their war services. Altogether £224 hud been distributed during tho quarter to men whoso disabilities could not bo traced directly to theif war services. Authority was required for tho expenditure of another £2OO in that wav. Tim men now applying for assistance, and the dependents, too, were of a particularly tine typo, and deserving of help. They had battled hard against adverse circumstances, and had been forced reluctantly to ask for assistance. The Returned Soldiers’ Association was doing splendid work in bringing before the Appeal Board cases of men and women who, in the opinion of the association, should be granted pensions. The association had in this way taken a groat deal of weight off Dio committee, and the new secretary (Mr J. W. White) was found to be a worthy successor to Mr A. C. Laing, wlio bad won their admiration and appreciation. The report was adopted. Mr Speight suggested that tho meetings should be held half-yearly instead of quarterly. It was decided, as tho date oi the next meeting fell duo in the Christmas holidays, to postpone it till February,