CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 30 September 1915, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

WOUNDED AND DISABLED SOL-

DIERS: A SUGGESTION

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —At a meeting of the Egmont A. and P. Society last week it was pointed out by Mr Winks that wounded and disabled soldiers discharged from hospital were in want of relief, over and above their pay of 5s per day. And the speaker further went on to remark that this relief should be granted from the funds of the various patriotic societies formed for that purpose.

In this I agree, and am quite sure that were sucn urgent cases as those mentioned known, these societies would, do their utmost to help, not as charity, but as a duty we owe to our brave defenders.

But so far as the particular fund referred to is concerned, I mean toe Wounded and Disabled and Necessitous Soldiers and their Dependents, the societies can do nothing definite until either a national or provincial scheme is finally adopted, so that uniformity of relief can be given/ as laid down by a central executive. Until this is arranged, these funds, cannot be interfered with.

The national scheme was unanimously supported by delegates from Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay; Wellington, Canterbury, Westland, Nelson, etc., only Otago and Auckland standing out for a provincial organisation.

A committee was formed, and we who attended the conference are now awaiting the results of their delibera*lon- Hence'the delay in dealing with the funds. In the meantime we are sparing no efforts to increase them, tor, as pointed out by Mr Cray of io mJ££ v Taranaki requires, about ±o»,uuu on a population basis as its contnbutifwv, a large sum, which I tear we are yet a long way from realising. It now occurs to me that the "E"mont A. and P. Association could do iniieh to increase our resources. The Palmerston Society have announced their determination to devote the proceeds .of their show for the benefit of the wounded and disabled soldiers. in. y s? ould not Hawera do the same? lne scheme would be immensely popular with all, and bring in a large sum ? f., money- Everybody would contribute. It appars to me that here is a great opportunity for the country to show its practical appreciation of the glorious work our brave men are doing for us on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Please note.—This is my personal suggestion, and does not emanate from my committee here, but I commend it tpr the earnest consideration of the Egrnont A. and P. Association. ■o , o n G. R. ■ HORNER. Patea, Sept. 29.