The Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1916. THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5361, 19 February 1916, Page 4

The Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1916. THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

The conference in Wellington does not appear to have sucoeedid in very clearly defining the respective obligations of the (Government and of Patriotic Societies in the, treatjnent of wounded soldiers and dependents. A plain understanding would enablo both to get more effectively to work and remove the many complaints that are now made. It is necessary to define where the State ceases and the Societies start; with that settled there would be no room for dispute or delays in dealing with the cases that arise. The decision reached by the Conference is thus worded: “That all expenditure necessary to enable a soldier to fully enrfy out bis duties, to maintain him at. the highest point of efficiency to fully provide for all hi* needs in tin* event of sickness and disablement, and to fully restore him as near as possible to his ofdinnry position in civil life i s the rmjioiisibility of the Government; that the duty <>f providing in an adequate manner for the dependents ot the soldiep while on service or in the event of his death or disablement is also the responsibility of the Government: that the duty of Patriotic Societies is to supplement the provisions made by the Government by supplying any additional assistance needed by soldiers or their dependents, and by assisting all genuine eases of imhml arising from, the d<*«th or disablement, of soldiers having dependents, the aim being to minimise suffering arising out of the war.” A more definite and detailed statement of the position would have been beneficial. The Wellington. "Post” supports this view: After

months of close observation of the | patriotic confusion, we have a belief that the only satisfactory policy for the Government will be to assume a non-existence of Patriotic Societies and work straight/on as if there were no “voluntary action” funds for soldiers. We had hoped that intelligent co-operation would have been possible, but probably the societies would be better left to work on separate plans, with the press and the public watching keenly, on behalf of soldiers. PREFERENCE ADVOCOATED. The London “Spectator,” regarded as the best conducted and most in-, fluental of British publications, has j been converted to preference, and thus justifies its change in policy: “We feel most strongly when we consider not only the gallantry with whicli overseas Britons have fought for us, but that they are generously bearing a large portion of our burdens. We must, if only by way of compliment and as a salute of gratitude to these men of our flesh and blood, give special welcome their goods at our ports. Preference for things grown within the Empire will include wheat and meat, which we desire to tax very lightly, though it will be necessary to raise some revenue from them. When the war is over the need for a tariff will remain, but there will be no necessity for restrictions on trade beyond that. No Free-trader will raise objections to colonial preference, so long as it is properly and wisely worked. The Free-trader’s ideal will not be merely to give preference to the colonies by halting the tariff, but to trade absolutely freely. Then the Free-trader and the Preferentialist wilj indeed march hand in hand.” A DISTRICT CORONER.' As tile necessity has arisen, under unfortunate circumstances, for the appointment of u district cproner it !i s desirable that steps should be taken to advise the Department of the inconvenience caused under the arrangement hitherto existing. The coroner lms resided at Woodville, and as the duties are spread over a 1 widely-scattered area there has often been considerable delay and* incon- | venience. This, of course, is in- ■ evitable, but could be reduced to u. minimum by the appointee being resident in the most thickly-populated centre, where of necessity the bulk lof the work occurs. The matter could be taken up by the Mayor end through the Member for the District ; proper representations could be con--1 veved to the authorities.