TWO FUNDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16992, 20 October 1915, Page 8

TWO FUNDS.

VETERANS' ASSOCIATION AND : PATRIOTIC.

MINISTER OF HOSPITALS SUGGESTS UNITED ACTION.

For some weeks there has been something more than ordinary emulation between the Patriotic Fund Committee and the Veterans' Home Committee. Both organisations are canvassing vigorously for subscriptions. Each complains that the other is militating against it, and at times there has been a little friction. The Hon G. W. Rusieli, Minister of Hisp tab, has stepped in, and! yesterday tried to brin<r about a scheme of united action. He called e. conference of gentlemen interested in the movements, which metin his rooms in the Government Buildings yesterday afternoon. \ There were r resent—Lieutenant-Colonel Cresswell (president of the Veterans' Association Home Fund Committee), LieutenantCoJonel Slater Colonel Chaffey, and Mesrs H. S. Newman, W. J. Ellison, J. J. Dougall and J. Timbrell.

Mr , Russell asked the Veterans* Association to withdraw itf fund. In Auckland, he said, mere was absolute «-nccntration._ The association should join the Patriotic Fund Cbn.mittee, in order that there should be one large fund. One thousand men would arrive at the end of this month. It was the duty of all to unite their efforts to do the best for thone soldiers. It was not the time to divide the forces. Everything must be subordinated to the great I'ccessity for • doing something to help the men who were on their way back to. Canterbury. . There was a great deal to be done in that direction. It was absolutely necessary that the public should know exactly what fund its money would be placed in. :'

Lieutenant-Colonel CressweU said that the association had been in existence twelve years. It had relieved distress among t veterans of the Crimean, tlae South African and other wars. Ho - would place the Minister's proposals), before the association's committee. la tho meantime it must continue to carry on its work in a small way. It would have soldiers staying at its institution at New Brighton, although they' wruld not live there. The association obtained money in many ways that the Patriotic Fitnd Committee did not follow. It would! hold its bazaar in No* vember. Tho association would not oppose the Minuter's suggestions, but it was so deeply involved that it must carry on as at present until the bazaar was held. Mr Doagall said that in the circular "ssued by the Veterans' Association it was stated that ho described the Veterans' Home as "a splendid proposal." As a matter of fact ho had expressed nothing but disapprobation of the scheme. There was 10 doubt tnaii the Veterans' Home Fund was militating against the Patriotic Fund. Colouel Chaffey said that tne Veterans' Home scneme was too previous. It was time to think of a Veterans' Homo when the war was over. Tho Veterans' Association wiva purely a naval and military society. th/> Patriotic Fund Committe? represented wic wHle of the citizens. The present soldiers were being drawn from tho ranks of the c'tizens; the oitizens should look after'them when they were, wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Slater said that division was a sijrn of w sakriess. Other funds should take precederce over the Veterans' Home Fund. The association should btand aside for the pro. Mr Dougall suggested the Veterans' Association should appoint a committee to meet a sub-committee & the Patriotic Fund Committee, and Lieutena-it-Cblonel CressweU said that tho snssestion would be placedJxaore tho association's oouuuittee. -in tha meantime the asWation wished to con tim.3 its "present work.