GOVERNMENT'S DUTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9247, 14 January 1916, Page 7

GOVERNMENT'S DUTY

TO EQUIP SANATORIA AUCKLAND SUPPORTS WELLINGTON'S VIEW. Interviewed by a representative ol the Auckland "Star," in regard to the decision of the Wellington War Relief Association executive that they could not accede to the request ot the Hon. Cr. W. Russell for funds to help in the equipment of the Rotorua Convalescent Home for Soldiers, as they considered it the duty of the Government to provide such equipment, Mr J. H. Gunson. president of the Auckland Patriotic Association, remarked that the attitude of the Wellington Association harmonised with that of Auckland upon tfae question of co-operating with the Government in the equipment and providing necessaries • for soldiers' convalescent homes. A further telegram from the Minister upon the matter is to be considered at a meeting of the executive committee this week. "It seems to me, however," said Mr Gunson, "to be very unlikely that the Auckland committee will reverse its previous policy in this matter. It has all along been held in Auckland that it is a. matter entirely for the Government to provide for the requirements of the men from the general funds of the Dominion. lam quite satisfied that the taxpayer is prepared to furnish the necessary funds for such a purpose. Our patriotic funds were not subscribed to <be administered by a Government department, but were contributed by the public to local committees in the respective centres, to be administered by local, men, without administrative red tape being introduced. Already throughout the Auckland province the local patriotic fund has been found to be of great value in furnishing prompt relief to urgent cases.

NIGGARDLY POLICY CONDEMNED "There are," added Mr Gunson," matters which require consideration in connection with the Pensions Board. Cases have come before the Auckland Claims Board in which the pensions were quite inadequate. Now, if the policy of the Government is to be niggardly in the matter of pensions, then it will mean throwing very heavy responsibilities upon patriotic committees, and this aspect; of the affair will have to be gone into very seriously. The principal object of the patriotic fund was to promptly meet the necessities of men who had returned from the front wounded, or invalided, whose pay was insufficient. Many of these but for the assistance from the patriotic fund would have been in straitened circumstances.' Where it w&s recognised that j the pension was insufficient to cover the actual needs of the men and the dependents of wounded or invalided' soldiers, then the patriotic committee has supplemented the amount given by the Government. -This has been, foundto be especially necessary in respect to dependents of wounded or invalided soldiers. . GOVERNMENT SHOULD FULLY EQUIP TROOPS. "At the present time," said Mr Gunson," the policy of the Auckland Patriotic Committee is to contisque its present course of administration of the funds committed to its charge. No doubt the committee will by expert-. 1 ence learn- where it is necessary to vary its policy to suit the conditions that have arisen. The public can, however, Be assured of one thing, namely,-that the funds are being - carefully conserved, and wisely invested in sound' securities. They can also rest that the funds are being most carefully but at the same time sympathetically administered in accordance with the wishes of the subscribers.

"In regard to the equipment of troops, it has all along been claimed in Auckland that is the function of the Government. Still, in Auckland and other centres the committees have had to supply a great- deal of equipment, particularly in respect to the outfits of officers, large numbers of fieldglasses and compasses; having been supplied. . AH such articles should, of course, be provided by the Government from the general funds- It is perhaps as well to make it perfectly clear that these have not been provided! from the relief fund, so that nothing has been diverted from the money subscribed for the benefit of wounded or invalided soldiers or their dependents."