INCREASING CALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 6

INCREASING CALL

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY FUNDS

EFFECT OF WAR INJURIES.

An increasing call to provide some measure of relief for the men *ho are breaking down, only now, I rom tin. effects of tno Givut War IS M , ject of comment by the chairman o the Manawatu Patriotic Society (Mr A. E. Mansford), in Ins review of tne year’s operations of the society. “During the year, states Mansford, “the executive went very carefully into the question of the cost of the administration of the funds ol the society. The result of tins investigation was that the aggrega e o the expense in this category has been very substantially reduced, although the full benefit of this is not completely reflected in the balance-sheet for the reason that the new scale has not been in operation for tlie whole period. The actual result ot the year’s operations may well b summed up in the statement that, a a result of the year’s working, the accumulated funds ot the society have diminished by £1623-odd. I have so often emphasised the wisdom an foresight of those responsible for the adoption of a sane and farsighted policy in the earlier years of the society, that I honestly feel that to mention it again is unnecessary repetition. I shall, therefore, content myself by saying that the funds of the society are still m such a healthy condition, thanks to that policy, that our men need not fear that in the future their requirements will nave to suffer by reason of ill-considered expenditure when an over-abundance of needless generosity might have nail that result. “At the same time we must . n°'' consider now any conservation of the funds that remain. These were zealously guarded for the great day ot need that the members of the society felt would assuredly arise. That day to some extent is already with . us. and, as I have endeavoured to indicate, the requirements of our beneficiaries may probably become intensified. Therefore, I say, let us not worry about any depletion of our funds but rather seek to fulfil tne high destiny of the society and to discharge with sympathy and generosity the trusts that were imposed by thoso thousands of people who contributed to our funds. FEWER UNEMPLOYED.

“During the whole of the year the payments to the R.S.A. were continued upon the same basis as lias opeiated for some considerable period, but it is pleasing to say that the association has reported that since December there has been a most noticeable decrease in the numbers of men unemployed.” Mr Mansford adds “While the society is only too pleased to lend its aid in this direction, I am certain all our members will rejoice to learn that the men are regaining their old employment. In all, for this particular activity, the society devoted a sum of £1425. This sum. together with £727 2s 2d to soldiers and dependants, and £25 for the camp comforts fund, constituted an aggrogate expenditure of £2177 2s 2d. In • addition to this a small amount of assistance was granted to parents desiring to have their sons sent for training at Flock House. It gives me much pleasure in stating that the closest, co-operation between tho society and the Returned Soldiers’ Association has been maintained during the past year. This has proved of the greatest, benefit to all concerned. “In connection with the distress arising from unemployment, the National War Funds Council continues to grant assistance. During the past year the sum of £333 10s was received from the council and, in accordance with the custom of past, years, this amount was handed over to the Returned Soldiers’ Association to bo administered in their general scheme to give relief of unemployment.”