THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19349, 9 June 1926, Page 16

THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

SOCIETIES OPPOSE POOL. DECISION AT CONFERENCE. QUESTION TO BE DEFERRED. ASSISTING SMALLER BODIES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. An important conference of representatives of various bodies concerned in the administration of patriotic and war funds, convened by the Minister-in-Charge of War Funds, commenced sittings at the Parliament Buildings this morning. Delegates were present from all parts of the Dominion. The principal object of the conference is to decide questions relating to centralisation or amalgamation of the various funds and the uniform distribution of the moneys for relief purposes. The conference was opened by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who briefly welcomed the delegates. He said he wished to make it clear at the outset that there could be no suggestion that the Government was seeking to control the conference or its decisions, and for that reason he did not propose to be present throughout the proceedings.' but would withdraw at the conclusion of his address. Departmental officers would be present, however, to furnish information or to assist the conference in arriving at satisfactory conclusions. Work of Societies Appreciated.

Speaking on behalf of the Government the Minister said he deeply appreciated the great amount of work which had been done by the various societies toward assisting in the administration of funds for • the returned soldiers. The work was done unostentatiously and very efficiently by people who had had long, experience in the administration of the moneys and the Government looked to them for guidance and assistance in solving the problems arising from time to time. '

The question of finance would require a good deal of consideration. The question undoubtedly would arise of earmarking part of the funds for specific purposes, scholarship funds, veterans' homes,. etc. It was obvious that the general feeling of the patriotic societies was that there should' be no wholesale centralisation of funds. At the same time he thought it was true to say that it had been shown that in districts where small societies were functioning it was desirable to reduce the cost of administration by amalgamation. Go-operatioa Between Societies.

Amalgamations had been going on automatically in the last ten years. There had been a reduction in the number of societies from 200 to about 90 in the last few years. Experience had demonstrated therefore that centralisation was advisable.

Referring, to the subject .of uniformity in the administration of relief Mr. Stewart , said that. anomalies had been shown to exist, and it was decided so far as possible to make more .effective provision by which the wealthier societies would go to the assistance of the ooorer societies,, especially where the latter had a larger proportion of applicants for assistance. An expression of opinion by the conference as to whether the time was ripe for the allocation of moneys for veterans' homes would be of great value. , ■ ■ . Responsibilities not Shirked.

The Minister remarked (hat be had noticed newspaper and other implications that perhaps there -was 1 some motive behind'the conference in the mind c.f the Government, that there was "a nigger in the woodpile." He assured the conference, however, that that was not the case. The suggestion that the Government was attempting to unload its responsibilities on the patriotic societies was totally unwarranted. The Qgures showed what the Government had done to assist ; the returned men, and he did not think there could be any suggestion that the Government had been seeking to shirk its responsibilities in the matter. The Government expenditure on war pensions up to March 31 last showed that a total of £48,500,000 so far been spent in, repatriating ex-soldiers and restoring them to civil life. After the. Minister had retired the conference proceeded with the business. Sir John Luke, M.P., > was elected to the chair. The principle of "one society one was decided upon. Nationalisation Opposed. Discussing finance the chairman said that unless "something definite was "decided some of the smaller societies would be "forced out of existence. He believed there was. a feeling against the nationalisation of the funds at present and he" hoped the conference would ensure that in cases where the existence- of the smaller societies was threatened they should receive relief from the National War Funds Council.

Mr. L. O. H: Tripp said the advisory board was unanimously opposed, to the pooling of funds and could not see that there was any object to be gained. There was enough money in sight 'at present te keep'-a.ll the societies going for seven or eight years. They were of opinion, however, that nationalisation should take place at some time in the future. Mr. Tripp moved that the question of nationalisation of funds should be postponed. He said claims were being made to-day by men who served in the Boer War. 23 years after that campaign, and lately a Crimean veteran, 87 years of age,"had applied for a pension and had been granted £1 per week. It could be seen, therefore, that claims arising out of the Great War would be received for very many years. Uniformity of Treatment. In reply to a question by Mr. W. Perry, who represented the New Zealand .Returned Soldiers' Association, the chairman said that at a later stage of the proceedings a motion would be introduced with the object of putting the responsibility upon the War Funds Council for corning to the assistance of the smaller societies. , • The motion was carried.

After some discussion upon the question of uniformity of treatment of cases a remit, from {he Southland War Relief Association was subjected to amendment and the conference agreed to it unanimously in the following form: That the returned soldier is qualified by reason of service to have his claim considered by the Patriotic Society, which shall decide the case on its merits, and tht if any society has not power to deal with any claim it should take step's to have its constitution altered. ,

It was decided unanimously to request the Government to remove the limitation of time in respect fo • applications for. pensions. After some discussion upon an Auckland remit, "That the Veterans' Home. Auckland, be made a common obligation of the patriotic societies of the Dominion," the subject was deferred: