Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1916. STORM IN A TEA CUP.

Nelson Evening Mail, 7 September 1916, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1916. STORM IN A TEA CUP.

THERE was an unfortunate conflict of opinion at the annual meeting of the Sick and Wounded Soldiers and their Dependents' Fund last evening. This, it appeared from the discussion was due largely to misunderstanding between various supporters of the fund and should not be taken seriously by the public. The Advisory Board presented to the meeting, for adoption, a comprehensive set of rules which it had decided upon as the result of its experiences in the administration of the Fund. And these rules, moreover, represented also the experience of the Wellington War Relief Association. The men who have adopted these rules in Nelson and other places have done so not hastily, but after considerable experience, and when the proposed provisions are inquired into we think the great majority of subscribers will find very little to -which objection can reasonably he .taken. But there is not the slightest doubt that the Ad-

visory Board should have made this proposed adoption of. rules more widely known. Had they done this, the rules, with a few minor amendment, -would doubtless have been passed by- a large majority at last night's meeting. But it appeared that it was the point of fairness to other subscribers raised 'by Mr Evans that turned most of those presentagainst the adoption of the rules at once. •Mr Evans was on. absolutely solid ground in this respect and his contention was unanswerable. But his, and other members of the Silver Bullet Committee's, grievances against the Advisory Board appear to us to foe more or less imaginary.

The fund- in question quite reasonably, arid necessarily if justice was to be done, has 'been administered' in- much, the same spirit as the proposed rules provide, and Mr Evans, although stating that he fully agreed- to a widening of the scope of the Fund in a proper and legal manner, and -pointing , out that he was simply stating what could be done under the proposed rules, dwelt, we think, unduly on extreme points, so much so, in fact, that many of Iris hearers may have gained the impression that the rules were far too wide. But we believe that the rules should be wide in order that the Advisory Board at its discretion- may bo able to deal with all cases where assistance is deserved. As Mr F. G. Gibbs pointed out, the Fund is, of course, primarily for Nelson men and the Advisory Board would not 'be compelled to -grant assistance to soldiers fro-ii <utside of Nelson. It wfculd simply ha vein e power to do so if such becamV necerisary. Much has been done for Nelson omen abroad, and is it not reasonable that the Board should have power to deal, if it sees fit, with necessitous cases, no matter where .the soldier or sailor comes from? And further, assistance is urgently needed in some cases where the dependents ofi a soldier, who is neither sick nor wounded, are in want. The experience of the past twelve months has proved .that it is impossible before hand to lay down definite rules about the expenditure of the money. The desire of the public, as we understand it, is for assistance to be rendered in all necessitous cases. At times the discussion la&t evening seemed to lose sight of the fact- that the Fund is simply supplementary. It is the Government's duty 'by pensions and allowances to deal fairly with soldiers and their dependents. But the law for the many does hot meet all cases and we take it, it. is the main purpose of the Fund to make up the difference. If the pensions as a whole prove to be inadequate then; attention must, be concen-

trated on the Government until it is forced to increase the payments. As Mr. Field, M.P., pointed' out, in no instance should the Fund be made to relieve the Government of any part of its responsibility. But over and and above all that can be done by any law made for the many, there will always be some who by adverse circumstances or other means will be in need of further assistance to enable them to live in reasonable comfort. Last night's discussion was largely a storm in a tea. cup. The meeting warmly supported the work of the Advisory Board when certain matters were explained by Mr W. W. Snodgrass, and we feel certain practically

all subscribers to the Fund would do the same. Still there is th e fact that reasonable notice of the proposed rules was not given. Doubtless -the rules, with a few minor alterations, will be approved at a future meeting.