WAR RELIEF FUNDS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1358, 20 June 1918, Page 9

WAR RELIEF FUNDS.

N.Z. ADVISORY BOARD. SITTING IN CHRISTCHURCH. The Advisory Boar.l of the Federation of New Zealand Patriotic War Relief Societies met in Christehureh this morning. The board, which meets three or four times a year, lias nor hitherto assembled outside of Wellington. Affiliated societies were represented by the following delegates: —Messrs L. 0. 11. Tripp (Wellington, chairman), .1. .1. Dougall (Canterbury), Hope Gibbons (Wellington). Hon. J. Orimmond, M.L.C. (Westlaml), R. Mclhiff Birred (Gisborue), W. W. Snodgrass (Nelson), E. 11. Williams (Hawke's Bay). 11. W. Rovds (Southland), W. I'. Kirkwood (Taranaki), Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C. (Otago). Y. .1. Lamer (Auckland), and 11. W. Shallcrrfss (Wellington, lion. sec. I. In addition, Mr N. McCallum (Christehureh) was present representing the Returned Soldiers' Association, and Mr G Gray (Timaru) as a visitor. Financial Assistance Board.

Referring to criticism of the Financial Assistance Board, the chairman gave his opinion that the personnel of the board could not be improved upon, lie believed thai every member was doing his best and honestly deciding on the facts before him. At the same time he had agreed with very few of the board's decisions. Too often it did noi have all the facts before it; and in those cases in which the Advisory Board had cited further facts, the Financial Assistance Board had favourably reconsidered them. But the initial decision had. been honestly arrived at on the evidence forward. Injustice to Officers. •

Then, continued Mr Tripp, the position of those officers of the Forces who made soldiering their profession required attention. A perinaiient officer who returned wounded was gazetted out of the Army and granted the full pension. As he gradually recovered, his pension was reduced until, if he quite recovered, he was without a pension and without a job. That was unjust and unfair. Those men, when fit, should have the right to resume their permanent positions or, as was done at Home, hi placed on the retired list on halt' payMr V. .T. Lamer added that the New Zealand officer was the most poorlv paid o<: all.

"Yes," agreed Mr J. J. Dougall, "they are disgracefully paid, especially the junior officers." Leave in London. The meeting went into committee to consider the question of lending assistance to men in good .health on leave in London. On open meeting being resumed, it was announced that, in the board's opinion, funds should be provided to help fit men in England. It was left to a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Lamer, Tripp, Dougall and Paul, to cable to London for further information. Stamp Duty on Cheques. The Wairarapa Patriotic Association wrote fuiggesting that the Government should he .approached to grant an exemption from" stamp duty on cheques drawn by patriotic societies. Already receipts were exempted, and societies had free postage and free telegraphic facilities, but this other concession would represent a big saving in working expenses. No action was taken. War Loan Investment.

The Manawatu Society asked that the Government be urged to'note the advantage it would have by allowing patriotic societies to take ont war loan scrip for a specially shortened term. The present terms were too long for societies to invest deeply.

As the amounts to be invested must be small, the board did not consider that it would be justified in sending forward a recommendation. The Manawatu Society could purchase war certificates if it so desired. District Policies.

A letter was received from the Southland War Funds Association stating that it had recently had an application for relief from a dependent of an Auckland soldier. The matter was referred to the Auckland Association which ha<; replied, "Under our constitution we cannot assist dependents of soldiers on active service unless such dependents reside in Auckland." Southland suggested that Auckland might be approached to alter its constitution to meet such cases as this. Mr Lamer, for Auckland, contended that the Auckland policy of assisting all dependents in its district —.Southlanders and all —should be that of other societies. Mr Dougall: Auckland simply refuses to fall into line with the rest of New Zealand. It was resolved —"That as Auckland has persistently refused to comply with a number of such requests, the board regrets that it cannot take action.'' The Motor Boat Patrol. The question of the need for the financial assistance regulations 1 Xng extended to cover men who had enlisted in the Motor Boat Patrol Service was opened by the Canterbury Society. The board supported the Canterbury Association, and will urge the matter upon the authorities. Soldiers' Representation.

The Taihapo Society asked an opinion on a proposal to have the returned soldiers represented on the "claims" committees of societies. It was resolved that the board was heartily in sympathy with the proposal, which lias already been given effect to in many districts. Leave Without Pay. The matter of.denve from camp without pay, and applications for relief from men on such leave, was left to the chairman for fuller information. The board recommended that those soldiers who were brought home on duty furlough, after having served a considerable time, should be given their three weeks' leave with full pay ami allowances. Sick Dependents. At present the Government gives free hospital treatment to needy dependents of soldiers who have sailed. The board decided to urge that this be extended to cover the dependents of men in camp before proceeding on active service. "Chronicles of the N.Z.E.F." The editor of the "Chronicles of the N.Z.E.F." (Mr Clutha McKenzie) cabled asking the patriotic societies to push the circulation of the paper. No .action was taken. Annual Conference. It was decided to lease to afliliated societies the decision as to whether an annual conference shall bo held this year as usual. It is due in August. The Wellington Association urged that the Government be asked to expedite the payment of the saparation allowances, etc., to dependents. At pre sent dependents did not receive their first payment until at least a month after the man had entered camp. Messrs Paul and Lanier were appointed to wait upon the Minister of Defence in regard to this matter. (Proceeding.)