PATRIOTIC FUND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16298, 3 August 1916, Page 9

PATRIOTIC FUND.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE.

ASSISTANCE FOR SOLDIERS

POLICY OF CLAIMS BOARD

Tick ordinary meeting of the executive of the Auckland Patriotic and War Relief Association. held at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, was attended by the president. Mr. J. H. Gunson. in the chair. the Mayoress. Mrs. J. H. Gunson. Mrs. W. H. Parkes, Messrs. A. S. Bankart. N. A. Nathan, H. Horton. C. Rhodes, W. Spragg, J. F. llwen. H. D. Heather. A. ( '. Lunn, K. Phelan. J. S. Milne, and A. C. Caughey.

A report from the Claims Board stated that there was a steady increase in the number of applicants. 'J"he board had increased to 50s the amount paid to single discharged men not in receipt of pensions, and with no present means of support.. It also continued to supplement pensions by suitable amounts.

An entire revision of the whole of the cases dealt with since December last had been completed, and in cases where old grants had been continued full inquiries had heen made. This policy would be pursued'in the future, and the whole of the votes now being made were for definite periods, the longest term being to June 30, 1917. The latter course was adopted in cases where there could obviously be no improvement, and where Government pensions granted needed permanent supplementation. There would be a revision of all cases naif-yearly. The report was adopted. Employment Committee. The Mayor reported that the overlapping which had arisen in connection with the Employment Committee by the formation of a similar committee by the Returned Soldiers' Association had now been removed, the latter committee having been disbanded. Mr. James Robertson bad agreed to join the Employment Committee, and Mr. Andrews, a representative of the returned men. had consented to act in a similar capacity. This arrangement would remove many difficulties, and would considerably strengthen the committee.

The Mayor's recommendation that the arrangement be confirmed was agreed to. The Relief Committee's periodical statement showed that reports from agents covered 188 cases, of which 13 were new. The relief distributed amounted to £274 12s of which £15 2s had been refunded to the association.

The Mayor reported that he had received a telegram from the Mayor of Wellington to the effect that the fifteenth reinforcements required £60 to liquidate an account for band instruments. It was proposed that associations in each of the four centres contribute £15 with this object. He had replied agreeing to the proposal if it were favoured by the other centres.

Tne Mayor's action was approved.

Junior Cadet System.

A letter was received from the Waihi Patriotic Committee urging the Auckland Association to support the reintroduction into primary schools of the junior cadet system. The meeting passed a resolution favouring the restoration of the system, and it was decided to communicate this decision to the Auckland Education Board and the Waihi Committee.

An application for band instruments from Lieutenant C. Lynd on behalf of K. Auckland. Company, nineteenth reinforcements, was referred to the Women's Patriotic League. Mr. V. J. Larner was re-appointed vice-chairman of the executive for the ensuing 12 months.