NATIONAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17067, 27 July 1917, Page 2

NATIONAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING.

Tliere were a largo number of members present at a meeting ot the National Weliare Association m the 'New Zealand Express (Jompiuij's Board Room last nignt. line president (Mx B. a. Irwin.) occupied tne cttair, and the meeting was entinusjastic tiiroughout.

It was resolved that tho membership fee ■foe male and female members be fixed at a minimum of . Is.

Tno Publicity Oommittee reported regarding the arrangements made ior'noldong a publio meeting in Dunedin, at which prominent citizens will deliver addresses.—Approved,

The sub-committee appointed to report en the question of allowances and pensions stated that the purchasing power of a sovereign might now be set down at 13s. The allowances proposed were:—Wife without children, £2 2s per week, wife with children. £2 ss; each child, 10s 6d. The way in which the prices of ' ordinary necessaries of life were increasing made it extremely probable that ere the war terminated there would be a still greater drop in the purchasing power of the sovereign. The pension suggested was: —Widow • with children, £3 ss; widow without children, £2 15s; motherless child, 12s 6d. In the case of disabled soldiers, bho weekly pension ahonld be;— Single men, £2 ss; married men, £2 10s; wife or solo dependent, £1 10s; on death of pensioner, the dependent to receive a pension of £2, in addition to an allowance of £1 10s.

The Chairman pointed out, with reference to allowances, that tho report suggested that a wife and three children should receive £4 17s 6d. Under the Second Division proposals the amount was £4 14s 6d, and Tinder the scheme at present in force, £2 3s 9d. Several speakers complimented the subcommittee on the comprehensive nature of the report, and it was resolved that copies be circulated among members of the executive and the matter be referred to that body for report. Tho committee appointed to amend the constitution recommended that the following additional clauses bo adopted:—(a) To urge on the Government the need of taking stock of the man-power of the dominion, and its classification, so that tie maximum reserve for reinforcement purposes may be determined, consistent with the carrying on of the various industries in such a manner as wiD enable tho return to civil employment expeditiously of our soldiers on the cessation of hostilities; (!b) to urge the Government to consider the position of New Zealand m competition with othpr portions of the Empire which have not adopted conscription, and its incapacity to compete with those countries at present and after the war; (c) to urge tho Government to refuee to allow anyone eligible for military service to land in the dominion from any of the colonies or countries under the British flag which are not giving their full quota to assist the Empire in the present deadly struggle. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr M. Bradley. Mr A. M. Shugax said that on the Defence Minister's own showing New Zealand was sending away 30,0C0 men annually whereas he (the speaker) contended that 12,000 per annum would have been ample as Sir James Allen had stated that the wastage was only 1000 per month. He thought, in view of that, the Minister must admit thai the dominion had exceeded its obligations, assuming, of course, that New Zealand only undertook sending reinforcements of men to keep the Mam Body up to its'ifull strength. He was aware that an additional brigade had been created from the surplus men.

Mr C. F. Adams said that the surplus men should have been used to relieve the men who had served so long in the trenches and these, latter could have been recalled* if necessary. Mr J. S. Douglas suggested that the cost of living be discussed by the association a< soon as possible. The motion was carried. It was resolved that a pnblic meeting bs hold at Lawrence on Saturday with a view to forming a branch there. It was arrange*] that prominent speakers from the Dunodin Association be present, and the Mayor of Lawrence, it was understood, would preside Mr Shugar moved—"That, the Government be urged to institute national service so that at least an equal sacrifice financiall-; should bo made by those who remain at uome compared with those who have left and will be leaving, New -Zealand on active sorvice; all those between the agee of 18 and 65 to be organised and placed on an equivalent remuneration to that of th P soldiers." *■ Mr J. Hobbs seconded the mqtion which was supported by Mr A J. M ™ °- - F - Adams was of opmion that the Military Service Boards should be and that the Medical Boards should tetifi only appeal. Wle Mr John MTXraald said he did not anPjoje of young men, on reaching the of 20 years being offered facilities to enlift He thought that they should be allowed to take their chance in the ballot. present system they were taking the places of the elurkers. He was satisfied that ff there was .one thing which the people m this conntrv wanted at nreeont f „„. general clection.-(Loud C o f "Hear! After several others had spokrn, fhe mohon was carried unanimously bv Mr" O™°V f Mr M ; Do r\.— r<?sol ™d to congratu- «.« f+l D ; viSKm Leasrno on the sucW?llin1to£ e COnfer(Hlce «*en*ly held in