CANTERBURY PATRIOTIC FUND.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16160, 14 March 1918, Page 2

CANTERBURY PATRIOTIC FUND.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive administering the Canterbury Patriotic Fund wm held yesterday afternoon, the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) presiding. The secretary reported that there waxs £4209 outstanding of tho amount promised by County Councils. The County Councils affected had been written to, and three of them, Cheviot, Waipara. and Tawera, had replied promising the amounts due from them. I'ho letters were received, the replies being deemed satisfactory. A resolution was received from the Oxford Patriotic Committee protesting against what was termed the unsatisfactory reply received in reference to the Penglaeee loan, as being evasive and ambiguous. "As the money was subscribed for the purpose of assisting returned soldiers," proceeded the resolution, "we think the establishing of homes one of the best uses to which 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, or the statement that ho is earning a steady and certain Balary, 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 distinction." j The letter was taken, in committee, and upon resuming it was reported that the ac>tion of the Agricultural Committee in the matter and a letter written" by the secretary had been approved. The Applications Committee asked for directions as to assistance to be granted to men joining lie Flying School, Sockburn. The case arose out of an application for the payment of the insurance premium of a young man joining the school. Colonel Chaffey stated that until a few months ago young men qualifying at the Aviation School were not attested until they arrived in but now, if 19 yeare of age and upwards, they were attested before going into the Aviation School. Mr H. B. Sorensen thereupon moved that the Applications Committee be authorised to deal with all such cases on their merits. Mr D. Hawke maintained that the Patriotic Fund was established to assist returned soldiers and their dependants, not young men wishing to join the Aviation School. Mr H. R, Smith pointed out that if the young man had not joined the Aviation School ho could have paid his insurance Pl Mr l J\ n j. Dougall said Colonel Chaffey had stated that a young man was now attested as a New Zealand soldier upon joining the Flying School, therefore the executive simply had to deal with the case as one of necessity. Other epeakere considered that the runa was not established for the_ purpose of equipping men as soldiers, but simply to deal with necessitous, eases. The chairman and Mr Sorensen said the paying of the insurance premium wae simply to help the dependants. Mr Sorensen said the assistance was necessary, as otherwise the policy would lapse- The executrvo were nnt helnimi to make a soldier at ail. In reply to questions, Colonel Chaffey 6aid tho Flying School men wero sworn m as New Zealand soldiers, and consequently eligible for assistance from the Financial A the Financial Board would help no °no men attached to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The motion was carried.