PATRIOTIC SOCIETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 8

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY

RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT. YEAR. IN REVIEW. Reference to tin* excellent achievements of the Manawatu Patriotic Society during the period since it was formed is made by the chairman (Mr A. E. Mansford) in the report lie will present at the annual meeting of tlm society this week. “I am afraid that the burden of the annual reports for the past le v years has been, first, to emp.iad ;e the increase of ihe calls upon the funds of the society consequent upon the general economic depression througn wliu h the Dominion lias been passu,'; secondly, to give expression of disappointment that this condition has | 'Tsisted; and, fiinally, to voice hopes that the incoming year would witness the lifting of the clouds of that depression. It is indeed gratifying as I prepare this report for presentation to feel that we can, with some degree of confidence, visualise the tardy fulfilment of those hopes. At the same time the society should not for that reason alone feel that its task will be any the lighter in the years we are now entering upon. Surely, with the gratual elimination of unemployment, one aspect of our work that has characterised the last five years of our operations will disappear, but surely, too, the visitation of such a period was not in contemplation when the society was formed and the collection of the funds undertaken. In other words that was an unforeseen contingency and our truer function still remains,” states Mr Mansford.

“Let us here pause for a moment to consider in retrospect what has been accomplished by the society during those five tragic years. The aggregate of achievement is truly astonishing and is one which the members of the society may well look back upon with satisfaction. I feel justified in saying that those whom we have been endeavouring to assist have also derived some measure of satisfaction from their different view point. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the society was formed for the sole purpose of rendering assistance to our ex-soldiers so that our own satisfaction should in reality flow only from that of the men and their dependants. I feel, however, that the members of this society are entitled to draw a large measure of comfort from the fact that, in the early days of organisation, a thorough investigation of the possible liabilities and contingencies' was undertaken, leading to the formulation and adoption of a policy of administration which has enabled us to do so much during this long and tragic period. Towards the end of the financial year, it was indeed heartening to realise that a large number of our soldiers were getting opportunities of employment. I. am certain I am- voicing the desire of each member when I express the hope that this will continue and be maintained.

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS. “On the other hand, time is steadily passing. Nearly eighteen years stretch between to-day and the welcome cessation of the War. Even the early years witnessed the breaking down of men, physically or mentally, and cither through actual disability suffered or as a result of subsequent experience. It is sad to realise that the passage of the years must mean an increase in the numbers of men in this category. We all know that in cases where the disability is definitely the result of the mail’s war service reasonable pension benefits are available for the man and his dependants. Unfortunately, lapse of time has prevented, and will prevent, too many from proving satisfactorily that their condition is due to their service. Those men who come under this heading must ever remain our care and call for our sympathy. It was indeed encouraging to see that some measure of recognition in this direction was undertaken by the Government in the War Veterans Allowances Act of last year, but the scale of the allowances, while affording great relief to those receiving them, is not by any means sufficient to discharge the society from its obligations to these men. Here there will remain and continue a call for that sympathetic consideration which has always been urged and, so far as I am aware, has been exercised by this society. FLOCK HOUSE SCHEME. “The well-known institution, Flock House, which has been established for some years, having for its object the training of sons of the Imperial seamen, has for some time extended its operations to the training of sons of deceased and disabled New Zealand and other soldiers, and recently the trustees of Flock House have, through Government assistance and the National War Funds Council, been enabled to admit boys of fit cx-service-raen ; as a result two local boys were admitted during the past year at a very small cost. I am pleased to say that the society has received from the trustees excellent periodical reports concerning the boys from our district who have been sent out. This is very pleasing to tlm parents of the boys and also the society. “The society still continues to receive many applications from ex-ser-vicemen and dependants for general assistance, and on investigation many such applicants are found to be the responsibility of other societies in New Zealand. In every such case the responsible society lias been communicated with, and 'i am pleased that in nearly every instance satisfactory relief has been given. We continue to receive applications from other societies throughout New Zealand on behalf of ex-servicemen and dependants for which this society is responsible, and in each instance relief has been given according to its merits. It will be seen, therefore, that the work of the societies is quite of a reciprocal nature. We continue to have numerous ex-soldiers calling at the office for accommodation, clothing and meals. Dissatisfaction is sometimes expressed by the men at the relief given, but I am convinced that every consideration is given to the applicants. The applications for relief of this nature are not so numerous as they were, which is a strong indication that the ex-service-men arc gradually finding work under the various employment schemes, and generally rehabilitated into their prewar position.

SE It VICES APPRECIATED. “By the long service of a great many of those on the committee they have in consecjuence gained great knowledge of the nature of the work being carried on and it is sincerely hoped that their valued and appreciated services will again be available for the ensuing year. Honorary treasurer: Mr J. Blackwood, who has given his very valuable and appreciative services lor about nineteen years, has again expressed liis ■willingness to continue his .food work and it is hoped ho will again 1» re-elected for the ensuing year. Auditor: Mr Reginald Davis, F.P.A.X.Z., who lias audited the society s books for over nineteen years, and almost since- the inception of tne society, has also dene excellent worx. Mt Davis again offers himself lor re-elec-

tion for the ensuing year. Owing to the general nature of the society’s work and in'order that every case shall receive every consideration, the society has when necessary been in communication with numerous patriotic and other kindred bodies throughout New Zealand, seeking information requiring the closest investigation in many cases, and my society now wishes to express its appreciation for the hearty co-operation of the following: The Returned Soldiers’ Association, medical profession. Pensions Department, various hospitals, affiliated societies, and all kindred bodies who have in any way assisted the society in carrying out its work. The society desires ahg> to convey its thanks to the local Press for publicity in connection wi’h the work of the society.”