Distribistiag Fatriotis Funds

NZ Truth, Issue 771, 14 August 1920, Page 6

Distribistiag Fatriotis Funds

.i ♦— : — _ "Strong Reasons for Avoiding Discussion of Details." The Canterbury Patriotic Committee has decided to purchase, as a Soldiers' Home, the residence of Mr. Justice Herdman, m Papanui Road. It appears that several properties 'were submitted for sale to the committee and that, on the recommendation of Colonel Fenwick, : who, we may presume, is an authority on pres- j "ent day house valuations, ■■ this par- j ticular property was selected. The purchase price is £5000. For this very tidy sum of money the committee get a two-storeyed house and three acres of ground, upstairs bedrooms being regarded, evidently, as essential to the comfort of men with no legs. This "ideal # " residence, when it has been renovated, altered and furnished at a cost of an additional £3000, will provide accommodation for ilfteen chronic cases. •The full sum of £8000 was authorised at a epeolal meeting of the committee, held a few days ago. The home will bo conducted by the Red Cross Society, while the Government- will supply medical officers, orderlies and rations. At the> meeting of the committee, when the grant . wts authorised, tho secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association asked the chairman (our old pal, "Holy" Harry Holland) whether any of the money to be used m -connection with the purchase had been received from the L«ady Liverpool Fund. "Holy," quick as lightning, camo back with the reply that that was a matter BETTER DISCUSSED IN , COMMITTEE, as "we have very strong reasons ifor avoiding discussion or details." Now, while everyone will hasten to congratulate the committee upon the establishment of a Soldiers' Home, few will look wivh favor upon the profound secrecy with which the transaction has been wrapped about. This fund was built up by -public subscription, the secret- working committeemen being merely trustees "bf the public. What is it that "Holy" Harry fear 3 m making public all the details surrounding the expenditure of such a "dollop" of money, which does not belong to him, any more than it does to any other member, of the community? Why cannot the committee be open and above board? What are these "very strong reasons" which seal Harry's lips and hide facts upon which the public is entitled to be enlightened? Already, there has been too much of this "hole and corner business" m connection with the administration of the 1 various patriotic funds. This purchase of a £5000 property is but one of the many undertakings executed by this precious Canterbury committee during the last five years or so. The people are heartily sick of this nodding of the head and this twistin X of the eyebrow — so are the soldiers. No secrecy was observed when the money was being collected; so why should there be heed of any when it is being expended? For tho sake of their own self-respect the committee would, be well advised to welcome publicity instead of discouraging it. ,