PATRIOTIC SOCIETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 194, 18 July 1941, Page 6

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY

YEAR IN REVIEW. Reviewing the operations of tiio M.tnawatu Patriotic Society in the past twelve months, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford), who is chairman, says the year, very much like its predecessors, has shown that with improved economic conditions the cal s upon the society have been very much smaller than during periods of depression. At the same time much valuable assistance has been rendered,- not only in those instances where direct application for help has been received, but also in a number of cases where the society has of its own action felt there was a merited need, of the benefits the society is able to render. This has resulted in the direct grants tins vcar being slightly higher than they were last year. As tho statement of accounts will show, the direct grants this year amount, to £5lB 6s lid. While dealing with this aspect of the scciety's activities, it is worthy of note to mention that, as was stressed for some years, a reserve was being maintained for the possibilities of the then future, so during the year a small committee was set up to make a survey for the purpose cf rendering assistance in cases where it is felt the need exists. 'lhis committee has already carried out a great, deal of most valuable work in this direction, and although its task is not yet finished J think it is fair to state now that there will be a subsanlial increase in expenditure for the year 1941-42, as a result, of its investigations. In this respect il would only add that the average ago of the men is now approaching the 50 mark, and with so many with their physical capacity impaired the creation cf (lie reserve 1 mentioned will be a great boon to those of our men and their dependants, whom it is our responsibility to look after. Again, in keeping with the improved economic conditions, no special call was made upon the society by the Returned Soldiers' Association in their various schemes of assistance to ex-servicemen generally. If, however, such a call is made I am certain tho society will answer it in the same generous spirit that has characterised it in the past. While speaking of the Returned Soldiers' Association, T must again on behalf of the society, thank them for their co-operation during the year, as the help they are able to give is most valuable. One aspect of our work which is sometimes troublesome, namely, the casual callers for assistance, who really arc the responsibility of srme other society, especially calls for the asMSfahce and cooperation cf tho assoc-ation. As in the pa.st this has been forthcoming in the fullest degree. The volume of these casual callers has not varied much for the past two or three vcars.

Speaking generally, I feel constrained to say that we should, with the passing of the years, expect larger claims upon our generosity in looking after our men than ha-R been our experience of the past fewyears, and in anticipation of that time 1 feel that some effort should be made io ensure that any assistance we (an render men without pensions, because they cannot prove war disability is not taken into account in the computing of social security benefits. If this cannot be arranged it is possible that some of the wisdom of the past for providing help in their later years to men who by reason of their services to their countrv, deserve the be=t we can give them, will be nullified. I regret to have to place on rcf-ord the passing of Mr 11. X. Cooke, for so ninny yeais a valued member of our executive.