PATRIOTIC WORK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24296, 13 May 1940, Page 2

PATRIOTIC WORK

ADMINISTRATION OF FUND REHABILITATION OF SOLDIERS . AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 11. A number of important questions relating to future patriotic activities in New' Zealand and the after-care and rehabilitation of the members of the Expeditionary Force are to be discussed at a conference in Wellington next week between the National Patriotic Council, the National Patriotic Fund Board and representatives from the 11 provincial patriotic councils The Standing Committee of the National Patriotic Council has prepared a memorandum on various matters as a basis of discussion. The first proposal is that the respective duties of the National Patriotic Fund Board and the provincial councils should be more clearly defined in the light of the experience of the past eight months, and in this connection suggestions will be submitted as to the functions of these different bodies. The question of the after-care and rehabilitation of returned men is one upon which a number of suggestions will be put forward. The principle on which it is suggested that this work should be carried out provides for the provincial councils setting up aftercare committees to be provided with an imprest account. There will also be a recommendation that the provincial councils should adopt a uniform method of dealing with the after-care of soldiers. . Another proposal is to make no more national appeals for funds after the completion of the Sick, Wounded and Relief of Distress Appeal, except in the event of some unforeseen circumstances or major calamity, when the appeal would be made through the newspapers only. This suggestion is contingent upon the provincial councils paying to the National Fund from a date to be decided a proportion of their collections. If this is not acceptable an alternative suggestion is that the National Fund should be given certain specified times in each province to make an appeal. , The board has, in view of the possibility of being called upon to make a grant from the National Fund, in case, say, of destruction by air raids m Britain. In addition, it is felt that the National Fund should be in the position of being able to assist various war-time efforts overseas should the necessity arise.