RELIEF FOR SOLDIERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1808, 29 November 1919, Page 6

RELIEF FOR SOLDIERS.

POSITION AT WELLINGTON. FUND IN PARLOUS STATE. [Special to The Sun.] WELLINGTON, November 28. The formation and establishment of sonic scheme for the dispensation of permanent relief to permanently disabled men, was discussed by the Wellington War Relief Association to-day. The chairman (Mr L. 0. H. Tripp) raised the question by quoting a letter which he had sent to the chairman of the Patriotic Funds Advisory Roard. In this letter he made the suggestion that a Dominion scheme should be established. He thought that, in view of the fact that, in a comparatively few weeks, all the men would be back in New Zealand, the Defence Authorities should soon be in a position to furnish particulars as to the number and condition of all the disabled men returned from the Front. He suggested that, when this information was supplied, there should be convened a special meeting of the Advisory Roard to discuss the formulation of a Dominion scheme for the dispensation of relief to these men, presumably for life. He mentioned that some districts were going on with schemes of their own—some of them giving lump sums to the men —and he expressed disapproval of the idea of provincial schemes, and also of the payment of lump sums to men, which the experience of his own association had shown to be undesirable, except in very special cases.

Mr J. Hutcheson said that it was deplorable that, after five years, there should be piecemeal treatment of this national question, and he hoped that some way would be dis•covered for the treatment of the question on a national basis. The War was now over, and there ought to be no such parochialism about the distribution of the residue of the funds; and there should be no regard to the special circumstances of some districts where they had been fortunate enough to collect funds large in proportion to the claims to be made upon them. Nor did he think that the Patriotic Advisory Board was the proper tribunal to formulate a Dominion scheme. He thought there should be a representative conference of all patriotic bodies, including such organisations as the Salvation Army, and that the Government ought to be represented at the conference. This conference should call to its aid all the best expert advice—medical and otherwise. If any of the societies proved obdurate, then the Government should take power to compel their acquiescence. His suggestion generally was that the residue of all the funds should be amalgamated. Mr Mcintosh said that he feared that the other societies would never agree to the amalgamation of the funds. They had objected to it at the beginning of the War, and they would probably still object. Mr W. Ferguson: The business was then ephemeral; now it is permanent.

Mr Mcintosh suggested that the Government might have to compel some of the societies to contribute some of their fimds into a common fund for permanent relief. Mr Ferguson: What would be the result of that? Probably the Government would take over the lot and mismanage it. Mr Mcintosh said that he had no idea of the Government's taking control. The money ought to be dispensed under the jurisdiction of local committees. Mr C. M. Luke said that it was almost inconceivable that the organisation for the distribution of relief should be carried on as at present for 15 years or more—for it seemed to be quite evident that many of the men would need relief for at least that period. He had always contemplated a time when there would be a washing-up, and he thought that the proper course would be by the amalgamation of the funds, and the adoption of a Dominion scale of relief for permanently disabled men. A special committee was set up to consider the question generally, and to report next meeting. In the course of discussion it was apparent that members of the association thought there was but little hope of the other societies adopting the suggestion of the Wellington association. Other societies are dispensing relief on a scale which is quite impossible to the Wellington body, with its comparatively limited funds. Also,, it has been the experience of the Wellington association that the method of giving lump sums to men is not good for the finances or good for the men. The case for the Wellington scheme is something like this:—The funds of the Wellington association are about £67,000, an amount which is not comparable with that held in some other places where the claims are less. The Wellington effort in the collection of funds was dissipated. There were endless calls for small amounts, and the aggregate amount contributed was reallv very large, but it did not come into the coffers of the War Relief Association. If Wellinston is to po on giving the soldiers reasonable relief the funds will not last nearly long enough.