THE WAR FUNDS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 285, 17 November 1916, Page 2

THE WAR FUNDS

Ito thb editor. 1 —Though some little time lias etepsed, I wish to comment on Mr. McLeod’s letter to the Patriotic Committee, which was published in the press. For some time past there has been a great deal of dissatisfaction on the part of both donors and the returned soldiers, and it is good now to know, at least one of those responsible who is defeating th< ob jects of a splendid cause. Let u a trace the history of this fund, hirst the public was asked to contribute to a fund, which has as its object, the benefit of soldiers in general, supplying comforts etc. Later, as the boys became engaged in actual warfare a special request was made for the wounded soldiers, and more recently still, when it was appaient that many would, through the usages of war, be coming back and be required again to take part in oui economic system, another levy was made on the public. This last also had verv good support from the public. Herein lies the responsibility of the Committee,—comforts for the soldiers, extras for the men in hospitals, and help to returned men. Now the first tw 7 o objects are, I understand, being admirably carried out» the hast unfortunately is lamentably neglected. Some hundreds of men have returned, and are returning, and nothing done. By nothing, I mean of real use. Mr. McLeod’s

letter tells us why,—because the Committee insists on a policy of charitable benefactions, a thing neither desired by the donors nor appreciated by the soldiers. A shortsighted policy surely. Inasmuch as a pittance doled out in such a way is but of momentary relief, —not lasting and a sure way of absorbing the funds. It is no use making a complaint unless there is a remedy available and I beg to submit one, which has the approval of many local returned men and therefore worthv of consideration. Among the reputations accorded the. New Zealand soldier and one of which he is justly proud, is that he is ambitious, independent, and self-reliant, so perhaps a scheme which does not offend but assists these characteristics, may be deemed prudent. I am coming now to the question of establishing the ambitious man on his return, either in a business or on the land, a position to which each mam who has fought or served is entitled. As the war has been in progress over two vears, and it has taken this time "for men to come back and the problem to arise, it is reasonable to suppose that most of those who .go away will be for a similar period and'orovision should be made from time "to time for assisting them in a

way that will be acceptable. Here is a tentative scheme which should be useful. To each one who can satisfy a committee of his being able to profitably use it, a sum of say, £2OO, may be granted, repayable in instalments, in say, two, three, four and five years, and as the money is returned it would go to others as they return. This, I contend would keep the fund alive and not so under the present method—the money spent is gone for ever. Mr. McLeod’s calculations I should call crude, to say so many’have gone and the amount collected makes £l9 per head. Now, as every one knows, there is the unfortunate percentage which does not come back, there are those of independent who will want no assistance and a large number will settle back into their previous positions held open for them and' to whom perhaps half wages were paid during their period of active service by patriotic employers, so that the numbers using the fund would not be large. Now another point, Mr. McLeod and. his committee make their calculations as though the collections were complete. This is not so, many are still willing to contribute, but refrain through the fact that what has already been given has not been properly expended. We have further evidence of this in the agitation in the Waipukurau branch meeting, and in other bodies, and individuals desiring control of the expenditure of their own funds. It is a regrettable situation but it seems tnat it is not a desire to be really useful that prompted Mr. McLeod’s letter, but-rather as an attack on those who have already helped returned men independently of the Patriotic Committee and those who like myself, have had to go into print to acquaint the public of our treatment. So I say to Mr. McLeod: The funds were donated for the purposes stated here, and if there is a grievance by returned men I can assure him that that reason also is causing a. large section of the public from continuing donations. So now, if he has done his best it has not proved a success, and should try . another metho I or resign his ncsition ana allow the Returned Soldiers’ Association to select one of their members who would be more able to judge and understand the requirements of the returned soldier. I am, etc., NEW ZEALANDER. [“New Zealander” is wrong in many of his statements and we are afraid that his tetter will do more harm than good to the returned soldiers, inasmuch as nothing is calculated to close the purses of contributors to funds more quickly than complaints from those the money is intended to benefit against the administrative body. Mr, McLeod is not defeating the objects of the cause. The fund which the Hawke’s Bay War Relief Association is administering, and of which body Mr. McLeod is the Hastings representative, was subscribed to provide for the sick and wounded, and their dependants and the dependants of the fallen. It is incorrect to state that the association has neglected its duty to returned men, Discernment has to be made between the sound and the wounded, and in no instance have the injured been refused assistance. The local commit-

tees have dealt with every case. The association has no policy of charitable benefactions. This has been avoided as far as possible, and what the mtn get thet get ns a light The Goxti-iinent pension ait ier\ liberal n I the board is acquainted with tin niuunt 01 pt nsion apph(inp in r-sistance ai> icreiving ugn.'s the sugge-Jion that the nun on his it turn should b< istibli'-htd in busierss 01 on the land tint mattei is outsute the scope of the association. There is nothing to jv'-ritx the board doing this, joi no fund has been provided tor that purpose. The inajoritv 01 trie 1 tumid men te lx hi si under -t iud ih it th- I tnd is toi the injured and not tm the strong. Ihe p ’sontl iGail mi W t’rLrod is hetond the mark iln point uutlinrd m his tettei is rndoised hi thi boatd ami is its nrmheis tic t r u> tees oi the hind, it must he conceded thev arc in the best position to know the purposes lor which the nionev was donated. I net feel that rhe\ lin onh gm m’p tciirativeh until tnov are assured of their assets and ’iahihti> ' and tliet apparentlv intend to coniine the fund to th< is'.d..nc.. <1 tin suk and wounded who are tneir special trust.- Kd. H.B.’t. I ' l