PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 147, 21 May 1930, Page 2

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

THE ANNUAL REPORT. “Tho working of tho society during the year under review,” statos the report of the Manawatu Patriotic Society, to be submitted by tho chairman, Mr A. J. Graham, at the society's annual meuting, “was very much of a nature similar to its immediate predecessor, save that it was a pleasing feature that the number of applications for assistance of a compassionate description were appreciably less. With the present temporary depression, and the unsatisfactory market conditions for our country’s produce, it seems that during the coining winter we can reasonably expect that the society will be called upon to a much larger degree in this direction. Although in stringent principle a large number of these applications do not fall within the rules and policy of the society regulating the payment of its funds, we will have tb continue to consider them and give the assistance just as wo have in the past. Tho report of the commission set up by the Government to consider tho question of the rehabilitation of ex-soldiers has just been published, and reference was made by tho commissioner to tho assistance to bo derived by ex-servicemcn from the patriotic societies, per medium of their funds. Peculiarly, the commissioners make reference to tho largo amount of money stated as boing held by patriotic societies, but represented actually by loans made to ex-soldiers and now not recoverable. The report emphasises, too, the increasing difficulty of proving tho attributability of disability to war service with the passage of the years and recommends a more sympathetic consideration of the disabilities now for tho first time, perhaps, making their appearance. This has always been the policy of our distribution committee which has the first handling of all tile applications, and will continue to bo our policy for so long as wo are handling the funds. Generally, the class of applications that are being received by the society differs but slightly from that of previous years. It has been necessary in dealing with applications to interpret the policy of tho society as generously as possible, and wherever doubt of any nature arises in the minds of the committee to be guided by humanitarian principles rather than by strictly medical diagnoses. “I am plesaed to state,” tho report continues, “that, although at the last annual general meeting the society pledged itself to assist in the relief of unemployment amongst local ex-servicemen, tho need did not arise.

“I will not attempt to analyse tho general nature of the assistance given by the society during the year, as that aspect of our activities is reflected in the balance-sheet. The largo majority of applications were dealt with personally, as usual, by the chairman of the distribution committee and the secretary, particularly whero the assistance asked was either casual or of an urgent nature. “The request from the Returned Soldiers’ Association that the society convert the ground floor of tho club buildings into shops and transfer tho actual club premises upstairs was granted by tho committee. “The loss has been sustained of one of tho committee’s most valued members through the death of Mr J. M. Johnston, who until a brief period before his death had 6hown a most active interest and was very sympathetic with all those who suffered in any way through tho Great War. “The work of reciprocity between affiliated societies still continues,” the report concludes, “and will undoubtedly continue for many years to come so long as patriotic funds are being administered in New Zealand. It should be stated that numerous applications have been dealt with by other societies on our behalf. During the year very considerable and valuable information and general assistance have been given to the society, enabling the various committees to come to decisions in the cases concerned, and the society now desires to express its thanks to the following: Affiliated societies, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Base Records, various hospitals and sanatoriums, local and other doctors, the Pensions Department, the Press, and especially tho local Defence Department, and all others who have, in any way, rendered assistance to tile society.”