PATRIOTIC FUND.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1275, 14 March 1918, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUND.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE.

A meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund was held yesterday, the Mayor of Christchureh (Mr H. Holland) presiding.

COUNTY COUNCILS' SUBSCRIPTIONS.

It was reported that a sum of £4209 2/1 was still owing by certain county councils which had promised donations. These had been written to. The Cheviot Council had replied that it would pay £SOO next month, and the balance, £SOO, in April, 1919. The Waikari Council, which had had heavy expenditure during the year, had promised to pay during the* coming year. The Tawera Council, which also had had to meet expenditure that had not been anticipated, had promised to pay as soon as possible. These replies were considered satisfactory. AN OXFORD PROTEST. A resolution of the Oxford Patriotic Committee, protesting against the unsatisfactory reply received in reference to a particular loan, as being evasive and ambiguous, was received. "As the money was subscribed for the purpose of assisting returned soldiers,'' said the resolution, "we think the establishing of homes one of the best uses to whien it can be applied, and cannot understand any question being raised as to whether or not the applicant came within the scope of the fund, nor the statement that he is earning a steady and certain salary, as his occupation is of an intermittent character. We emphatically protest against an incapacitated returned soldier with a wife and family receiving less generous treatment than single men much more favourably circumstanced, thus creating class distinctions." The executive went into committee to consider the matter. The executive upheld the action of the Agricultural Committee, which had made the advance in question. FINANCIAL POSITION. The treasurer's statement showed that the total receipts to February 28, 1918, were £188,541 11/4, and the payments to that date totalled £45,246 3/-. AVIATION PUPILS. The Applications Committee sought a direction from the executive as to the assistance to be granted to men joining the Flying School at Sockburn. A particular case was cited in which a young man sought for assistance in the payment of a life insurance premium, of £2O a year, until he could qualify in England for the Royal Flying Corps, when he would be able to pay the premiums himself. Until they qualified in England, these aviation pupils receive'! only a shilling a day and rations. The Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board said that the matter was outside its province. Mr H. B. Sorensen, chairman of the Applications Committee, pointed out that one question which arose in connection with this matter was that of the military status of the aviation pupils. Were they members of the Expeditionary Force? Colonel R. A. Chaffey explained that until a few mouths ago boys of 18 years of age and upwards were allowed to go into the school. They were not of age for military service, but they were sent Home at the Government's expense, and became soldiers after they had qualified for the Royal Flying Corps. In the last few months, however, the position had been altered. Boys of 19 or over who joined the Flying School were now attested before they entered the school, and so when they went into the school they were members of the Expeditionary Force.

Mr Sorensen then moved that the Applications Committee should have power to give assistance to aviation pupils according to the merits of the cases.

Mr D Hawke (Oxford) contended that the fund was intended to assist only returned soldiers and their dependents. Other members urged that the fund was not for the purpose of helping to make soldiers.

It was pointed out that Mr Hawke's conception of the scope of the fund was wrong, and also that the fund was not helping to make soldiers, but was helping to alleviate cases of hardship. In reply to a question, the secretaiy said that the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board had stated that it could help only men attached to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and their dependents. It would not help wives of British reservists, or of New Zealanders serving with the naval forces. Colonel Ohaffey said that the aviation pupils went forward as members of the New Zealand Expeditionary .Force. Mr Sorensen's motiou was carried.