"Scandalous!"

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13947, 27 July 1918, Page 5

"Scandalous! "

C.L.A. CRITICISES PATRIOTIC SOCIETY. EXPENDITURE AND SECRETARY’S SALARY. At the meeting at Everybody’s Theatre last night, Mr W. Thomson attacked the administration of the Patriotic Society. ‘‘ I notice that there is a movement on foot,” said Mr Thomson, “to get Mr John Permain an increase in salary. But I do hope for his sake, if not for the sake of our soldiers and returned men, that he will have the pluck to decline to accept it. That money was given for returned soldiers, and I would like infinitely more that he should say that ho would vacate the job to take over a job at £8 a week. The Mayor assured us in his presence that he could get £8 a week —and leave the position at £1 a week to some returned man. 1 say that then I should congratulate him. He ought to have done it two years ago. ’ ’ Referring to the administration of the Patriotic Society, he said that he had written on behalf of the Citizens' Loyal Association to the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister e£ Internal Affairs, asking him for certain particulars about the Society. The Minister had replied that on March 31, 1918, the Society had £39,859 17s 6d in hand and had dispersed £17,992 8s Sd for purposes for which the funds had been established. The cost of administration had been £3192 7s 4d. “Three thousand one hundred and ninety-two pounds seven and fourpence,” said Mr Thomson. “You conduct your business on those lineg for six weeks and see where you wall bo.” The speaker also drew the attention of the audience to the fact that though the Act provided for an annual audit, there had been only one audit published since the beginning of the war. One of the rules of the Society was to the effect that its moneys could be used to purchase lands, buildings, or plant for returned men. “A great many men are back,” said the speaker, “and X am now going to ask how many have been helped to go on the land. Not one! How many have been helped in business? As far as I know, not one. And here we arc with this enormous expenditure. ’ ’ Mr G. V. Graham said that the Society had one sum of £39,000 and another of £14.000 locked up which would produce £l7O a month. “And that is all.” said he. “that they are going to dish out to returned men. Such a thing is beyond all words. The money was collected for the benefit of onr boys. Something like 1000 boys have returned to this district, and not one has been helped. I think we should protest against the action of the Mayor. I think it is scandalous. ’ ’ Ho moved the following motion: — “That this meeting views with alarm and indignation the enormous expenditure in administration expenses of the Manawatu Patriotic Society. and its utter failure to carry out the, most essetial of p» duties in regard to returned soldiers.” Mr Green seconded the motion, which was carried on the voices, about one quarter of those present voting.