THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 22 September 1914, Page 5

THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

BY TELEGRAPH—PKEBS ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON, Sep. 21. A deputation comprising representatives of a. number of district patriotic fund committees, headed by Mr J. i\ash, Mayor of Palmerston North waited on the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Wj F. Massey) this evening, with reference to care of wounded New Zealanders at Home. The following delegates were present:—Mr J. P. Luke (Mayor of Wellington), Mr G. Cray (Timaru), Dr. Gabites (Timaru), Mr G M. Spence (Blenheim), Dr Willis (Feilding),. Mr Byron Brown (Otaki), Mr A. Lever (Westport), Mr H. Morrison (\Vairarapa) Mr H. Burnett (Woodville), Mr J. N. Simmonds (Taumarui nui\ Mr T B. Williams (Wanganui), Mr A. M. Conroy (Hawera), Mv F. s! Uoldmgham (Palmerston) and Mr T E i. Seddon. M.P. (Hokitika). ' " The delegates brought before the Government the following resolutions whiV-h were passed at a conference held prior to waiting upon Mr Massey-.—"That this conference of delegates, Yeyresentmg various patriotic committees, resolyes to ask the Government—(l) To agree to a Dominion Civilian Fund being established for the care of New Zealand invalided or wounded soldiers and other emergencies at Home: (2) that the Government subsidise the same f tor & "cm moneys already paid in rrom the patriotic committees; (3) that a first call, equal to 10s .per man of the force be made over the whole Domin^ ion: (4; that the Government agree to the appointment of a, civilian (honorar% 08811516) *°- administer the fund under the control of the High Commissioner's office in London." The Prime Minister said that the Government had already given the matter some consideration, but had not -arr J ntif* a, n-7 definite conclusion i umn it. lhey fully realised, however, tnat something must, be done in the direction suggested. They had thought/of instructuig the Hisrh Commissioner to detail as many officials of his staff ac might be necessary to look after those mattery that the deputation had in mmd.. With regard to the finance of the proposal, he was not sure that the Government could use any of the moneys in the patriotic, fund for this purpose, because money had been subscrib?l -,c e(luiPment of the force.'He would like to consult with his colleagues and with General Godley on the proposal, bnt- the deputation could be assured that the Government were fully alive to the necessity of appointing someone and the appointee, a civilian, to look after the interests of the men at Home.