RETURNED SOLDIERS AND PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 273, 3 November 1916, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS AND PATRIOTIC FUNDS

[TO THS EDITOR. ] Sil—A statement was made by Mr Ransom at a recent meeting of the War Relief Association to the effect that the Land Board supplied stock to those successful applicants who drew sections in the recent land ballot. This statement calks for some comment, as it only misleads the public. What the Land Board offers is this : they will advance £5OO for the purpose, of effecting improvements, such as buildings, fences and providing for stock, seeds and trees etc., and by the time buildings and fences are placed, there is very little of the £5OO left to buy stock. Complaints are numerous from returned men desiring to settle on the land. They cannot beg, borrow or steal it. The patriotic money is locked up and the returned can go without it. May I ask where is all the money subscribed to assist returned men 1 J think the public who have given so freely to a good cause should protest strongly against the present administration of these funds, given to settle the men on the land etc. I know of one man who promised £2OO per year towards the patriotic funds, but when he found that returned men could not get, or borrow the money subscribed, he said he would not contribute another penny to any’ Patriotic Society, and I daresay this is not the only case. Probably some abler pen than mine will take, up this matter and in doing so, he will have the support of a great part of the public. 1 am etc.. H.B.