PATRIOTIC FUND COUNCIL ACTS ON NEW CONSTITUTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23092, 3 November 1949, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUND COUNCIL ACTS ON NEW CONSTITUTION

QPERATING under the new constitution which took effect some months ago, the East Coast

Provincial Patriotic Council has dealt with over 60 claims for assistance, involving substantial sums of money. The total amount expended in grants to ex-servicemen and their dependents during the period was £1250, it was reported to the annual meeting, held recently.

Commenting upon the activities of the council, Mr. I. J. Quigley, provincial chairman, pointed out that the report did not cover a full year’s work, the council being required to hold its annual meeting in October in each year whereas the new constitution was not effective in October, 1948. A small number of applications received by the council had been declined, the chairman stated, on the grounds that they did not come within the scope of the funds. Several others were under investigation at the time of the annual meeting. The chairman paid a tribute to the work of the welfare committee, which had met weekly and more often where the circumstances warranted urgent action. Adequate Grants

Mr. Quigley pointed out that while the council recognised the wisdom of conserving the funds for a period of more acute distress among ex-service-men and their dependants, there had been no hesitation in disbursing grants where it was felt that they could serve a useful purpose. The general policy was to make grants adequate to the circumstances of the individual applications, and not leave an applicant in a position in which, through inadequate initial aid, he or she was bound to be in difficulties again.

Many of the applications involved a good deal of investigation, the chairman added, and in this connection the work of the welfare committee and the secretary, Mr. A. H. Miller, had been invaluable. The annual election of officers resulted in the re-election of Mr. Quigleg as chairman, Mr. R. F. Gambrill as deputy-chairman, Messrs. A. H. Barwick, M. R. Maude and W. M. Jenkins as members of the standing committee, and Messrs. Barwick, Maude, J. B. Gentles and R. K. Gardiner, with the chairman, as members of the welfare committee.

Mr. J. B. Chrisp, acting-treasurer, was re-appointed to that office pending the return to duty of Mr. M. J. White.