WAR FUNDS

Southland Times, Issue 19546, 9 May 1925, Page 5

WAR FUNDS

SOUTHLAND ASSOCIATION. REVIEW OF YEAR’S OPERATIONS. The following is the Annual Report of the Executive Committee of the Southland War Funds Association, to be presented at the Annual General Meeting on Friday May 15. The Executive Committe have again to record a year of continuous attention to applications for assistance from the funds. A total of 990 separate claims has been recorded during the year, and it is interesting to note that since the beginning of the Association’s activities 10,000 applications have been considered by Committee. CLASSIFICATION. It would be impossible to thoroughly classify the claims lodged for assistance, but a few examples are here quoted to show the hardships that from varying causes and for the relief of which the funds of the Association are being used: — (A) Discharged with a 25 per cent, disability. Permanent pension of 10/ per week. Secured suitable employment and married. After a period of three year his physical impairment is aggravated, and time is lost from work, reducing /the income for his family’s support. This man and his wife have been thrifty, and have provided against the “rainy day.” As a consequence of lost time the savings have been exhausted, and the income is insufficient to maintain the family in ordinary comfort. At this stage an application for assistance is lodged and a temporary allowance authorised. Application is also made for increased pension, and pending the decision of the Board, the weekly allowance from the War Funds is continued. (B) Discharged with a 25 per cent, disability, and pension and circumstances similar to A, except that disability does not become aggravated, but on the other hand a T.B. condition is developed. Application is lodged for pension on account of the T.B. condition; after such a long period since discharge from the N.Z.E.F. in the light of up-to-date medical evidence, the T.B. condition is not shown to be due to war service, and the pension remains as formerly—lo/- per week. The man is quite unable to work, and his wife is fully employed looking after the young family. A weekly allowance is authorised from the War Funds, .and an appeal against the decision of the Pensions Board is lodged. (C) Discharged with severe disability, and awarded pension of 40/- per week, plue economic pension of 30/- per week. Married, and receiving an allowance of 50/- per week for his wife and three children ; total income £6 per week. Is quite satisfied from a financial standpoint. Is ordered not to do any kind of work. After three years his health has considerably improved, and after a medical examination, he is informed that he may now engage in light occupation, and that his pension and allowances are reduced to £3 15/- per week. This man has been so long away from work that he finds it impossible to secure employment. Out of the £3 15/- per u r eek he pays rent, 35/--, leaving £2 per week for himself, wife, and three children. As a result of application, an allowance is authorised for a period and efforts made to place the man in work. (D) Discharged fit, no pension. Stated having been gassed on three occasions, and once buried for several hours by a shell explosion. Has felt serious effects, but determined to fight against his troubles, and has never reported sick. His condition has become worse, and following frequent absences from work he is at last out of employment. He is married, and has two children. All attempts at saving have been fruitless, owing to medical expense and loss of time from work, An application is received and a weekly allowance authorised. A claim is also lodged for a Pension, but in a case such as this, where no sickness has been reported, it is extremely difficult to show that the physical condition is due to, or aggravated by war sendee. The claim for pension is disallowed; an appeal is lodged and dismissed. Further varying examples might be quoted but the foregoing should suffice to show what is being constantly forced under the notice of the Executive Committee. In none of these cases is there intended to be the slightest suggestion of neglect by the Pensions Department or any attempt by the Government to shelve responsibility. From a long experience of the difficulties confronting the Pensions Board, the Committee are quite satisfied that every opportunity is given for a pension claimant to make his case good, and wherever it is shown that the disability is due to in any way or ag - gravated by war service, an adequate pension is awarded. In addition to the foregoing cases of disablement there is a great and varied number of claims from returned meu and dependants based on a very slender thread of causes due to military service. Take the following instances:— (E) Wife of a returned soldier, married overseas. Has no idea of thrift. Family of five or six children. Has never accumulated sufficient means to even pay* a deposit on house purchase, and in consequence has to pay 30/- per week rent. Husband a general labourer and in precarious employment; frequently out of work, and having no means to come and go on, is always right up against poverty. Temporary assistance is frequently applied for (F) Returned soldier pre-war steady in habits and in good situation. Now unsteady and unable to keep regular work. Married, and a large family. Similarly to E, is frequently applying for temporary assistance. (G) Discharge fit. Married and has three children. Wife is thrifty and the couple have managed to save. Husband has a good knowledge of business, and wishes to start on his own account. .Requires a little more capital, and applies for a loan of £5O. Consideration is given and if the circumstances warrant it, the loan is authorised free of interest, and repayable by instalments at the rate (usually) of £3 per month. (H) Discharged fit, but has frequent turns of sickness. No pension. Recommended by doctor to remove to a northern climate. Is in steady employment here, and hesitates to take the risk. In the interests of his health it is necessary that he should move. In a case such as this enquiries are made through northern associations for suitable employment, and when such is assured, assistance is granted towards payment of removal. (I) Discharged with 25 per cent, disability. Pension 10/- per week. After four years pension has ceased. Has now decided to marry, and all savings have been invested in house purchase. Is in steady work, and prospects are good. Applies for a loan of £5O to purchase furniture. Consideration is given, and if warranted, the loan is authorised. FINANCIAL. A perusal of the Statement of Accountz ■ shows the position of the Funds and the disbursements during the year. The sum of £3121 14s 9d was expended in relief grants, being an increase of £124 7s Id over the previous year; Temporary Advances accounted for £3249 9s lid, an increase of £695 18s 3d. The sum of £506 19s 6d has been written off in special cases of hardship, making a total assistance rendered during the year under all headings of £6878 4s 2d. It is satisfactory to note that refunds on loans amounted to £2467 18s sd, being an increase over the previous year of £473 7s 6d. Interest for the year amounted to £1985 10s lOd. The total assets at March 31, including accrued interest, are £47,022 13s 2d, and are credited Soldiers’ and Dependants’ Fund, £44,987 19s 8d; General War Fund, £2034 13s 6d. The amounts are accounted for as follows: —lnvercargill Corporation Debentures, £30,500; Southland Building Society Debentures, £7200; JfZ.

Government Debentures, £500; Enwood Property, £3270; Advances, £4085 2s Id; Office Furniture, £9O; Accrued Interest, £779 Ils 8d; Bank credit, £597 19s sd. The sum of £2Ol 6s 5d was received as a result of winding up the affairs of the Gore Citizens’ Defence Fund. SECRETARY AND OFFICE. The work of the office is carried out with regularity and efficiency by the Secretary and his capable assistant. The office provides an opportunity for those so entitled to explain their troubles with confidence, and.to be sure of obtaining a sympathetic hearing. Experience has enabled the Secretary to give advice on many and v varied matters, and as the strictest confidence is maintained this has proved an invaluable boon to w quite a large number. Moreover, when it is not possible to advise without reference to legal, business, or other quarters, the Secretary is always readily assisted by members of Committee or citizens in the direction required. CONCLUSION. In recording thanks to town and country members for their attention, the Executive Committe again desire to impress the fact that the affairs of the Association still demand vigilance and sympathetic government. As the years roll by since the signing of the Armistice, so the difficulties of determining responsibility increase. With some of the principal Patriotic Societies a definite stand has been taken to refuse applications from men discharged Class A, and to conserve the whole of the remaining funds for those who are suffering from war disability. This Association has not yet contemplated such attitude, believing in numerous cases men are suffering physically, mentally, and morally indirectly as a result of the severe strain endured while on active service, and with this belief, where men are officially Class A or otherwise, no application is refused serious consideration. The work will require to be carried on for some years, and it is sincerely trusted that those who have had experience in the administration will continue their valuable aid. Further assistance might be rendered by the public generally and employers in particular by remembering that the Secretary has at invariably all times a few men, not fit to compete in the ordinary labour market, in want of employment; there are frequently women also in search of suitable work. It is not so much a matter of earning wages with many of these as it is a question of occupation. H. W. ROYDS, President. 24th April, 1925.