FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2514, 15 July 1915, Page 2

FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS

WAY TO FINALITY

OUTLINE OF PROVINCIAL

SCHEME

I The following is a copy of the circular letter which has been forwarded by the special sub-committee authorised to make suggestions regarding the formation of a provincial fluid in connection with the. moneys donated for tlie relief of wounded soldiers and sailors and their dependents to all mayors, chairmen of city councils aiid town boards, and secretaries of .patriotic societies within the Wellington military district: "Dear Sir, —As you aro probably aware, the members of the Wellington, Patriotic Society and the Wellington citizens generally are strongly in favour of a- national scheme being adopted for the benefit of our wounded soldiers and sailors • and their dependents. At a public meeting . . . resolutions adopting the suggestions wore carried. It was found out afterwards that some of the provinces were against a national scheme, but woujd probably be in favout of a federation of all patriotic societies and funds in the Dominion, the object being that all wounded soldiers and sailors and their dependents should, as i-ar as possible, receive a uniform rate of pay, whether they come from a poor or a rich district. A committee was set up to draft a scheme for federation. This committco has met, and lias drafted a scheme which will como before a conference to be held in :Weliingtou on July 2S. "Wo think it will be generally recognised that it will be easier to federate all the societies ill New Zealand if these societies aro divided up into 'a'certain iiumber of groups. With this object ill view, tho Mayor of .Wellington, called a conference of mayors of various boroughs, chairmen of local bodies, and representatives of patriotic societies for the Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay provinces. This conference met in Wellington on July 2, and approved of the principles of amalgamation of the societies within these districts.

"Mr. Skerrett, K.C., and Sir John Findlay, K.C., were asked prior to this meeting to draft a scheme as a basis of operation, and this was done, Mr. Skerrett explaining the matter fully. (Iteport of meeting attached.)

"A sub-committee was set up to deal with all matters pertaining to tho carrying out of these suggestions. After a good deal of thought it-was decided to recommend to all tho patriotic funds and societies that instead of having the provinces as outlined in Mr. Skerrett's, proposal, that the district should he tho Wellington military area. If we agree to this, and can get tho other provinces to agree also, it will mean that there will be four bodies.as follows to federate, instead of a largo number of smaller societies':—(l) A body representing tho Auckland military area; (2) a body representing the Wellington _ military area; (3) a body representing the Canterbury military area; (4) a body representing the Otago military, area.

It may bo impossible at the moment to get" the other provinces to do as we suggest, but wo certainly aro of the opinion that it would be advisable for all societies in the Wellington Military Area to agree to a schemo of federation on the lines laid down by Mr. Skerrett. We think you will agreo that if this idea, is adopted, it will mean a great saving of labour and expense, besides which tile boundaries are already de-' fined by the Defence Department, the rolls compiled on the same basis, while in addition to this various area groups havf also been .divided and sub-divided, giving us a .basis for. carrying out the important work we liave in hand.'

If it' is possiblo to arrange that all tho moneys collected for the wounded ill one military area, shall be pooled, wo think that hn immo.nso saving of expense as regards book-keeping, auditing, .distribution of monoys, etc., will bo saved. Furthermore, the investment of tlie moneys can be bettor carried out from olie centre, wherever, that may be. Tho suggestion, therefore, is, that if possible, all the patriotic societies in a particular military area should pool their moneys.' We are sending herewith a rough draft of tho suggestions made by Mr. Skerrett: you will see that he isuggests that' the Mayors of the principal towns shall be trustees, and also ex~ofiieio members of tho committee. There will then be a largo executivo. Mr. Skerrett has not suggested how the executive shall first be elected, but a suggestion lias been made that any district subscribing £10,000 ■ shall he allowed to nominate one member on the executive, and a further member for, every further £10,000 or portion sub-' scribed. If this mothod is adopted, every portion of tho districts will bo represented. This large executivo will meet, and elect an inner executive, who will be the. active members of the oxe%utive, and who. will be always ready to' attend to urgent cases, ctc.

Then it is suggested that tlie executive should appoint committees or agents ill the different parts of the military area where they are wanted. These committees will have power to deal with urgent cases in their district, and will, of course, bo provided with a certain amount of funds for that purpose. They will inquire 'into all cases in their district, and will make _ recommendations. The main work arises while .tho war continues,- and' for a short period after the war is over.

No doubt many men will have to bo helped in small. ways, by giving them grants of money to keep them going, and, if possible, to help them in entering business or to satisfy actual wants. When this class of case is dealt with, there will be a sort of ponsion scheme adopted, and it will be simply a matter of paying out so much a year to different people. We expect as a result of the recent Carnival that Wellington will contribute nearly £100,000 to the fund, and wo understand the Wairarapa people will raise between £50,000 and '£100,000, while it is, of course, recognised that every other 1 portion of New Zealand will' use every endeavour to raise as much money as possiblo for the same objects,'

Mr. Skerrett lias endeavoured to make his scheme as liberal as possible, and wants it distinctly, understood that it is not in any way a Wellington scheme. We feel sure wlien this is generally recognise'! eaoli society will discuss the scheme on its merits as applying to, in this case, the provinces mentioned, or, as we now propose, the Wellington Military Area. Tho Wellington. Patriotic' Society, at its meeting this weelc, decided to nominate the following gentlemen as their representatives on t'lie Executive for the Provincial Military Area scheme Hon. J. Cf. W. Aitken, M.L.C., Messrs. A. E. Pearco (Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd.), A. H. Miles (Messrs. Murray, Roberts, and'- Co., Ltd.), Alexander Macintosh ; (M(ws'rs. Dalgety and Co., I.td.), S. Kirkcaldie (Messrs. Ivirkealdio and Stains, Ltd.), 11. G. Hill (chairman, Wellington Patriotic 1 Society), David M'Laren (ex-member of Parliament). As advised at tho commencement of this letter, the Fedorat ; on Conference will meet in Wellington l on July 28 to discuss the question ,of federation, and it is now proposed' that a" conference of all tho patriotic societies, Mayors, chairmen of local bodies, etc., in tho Wellington Military Area, should meet in Wellington at the Town Hall at 2 p.m. on 'Tuesday, July 27. This will give all tho societies in this district an opportunity of coining to a decision as to their internal arrangements, and allow them to clect delegates to meet the rest of the societies of New Zealand iti conference on t'lie day following;. -We sliall he flensed* therefore, if jou

■will discuss this matter fully, and coma down to the conference above-mentioned emp&wered ,to give effect to Mr. Skorrett's proposal or bring further suggestions, if any. Wo think it will be generally recognised that the matter is urgent, for our soldiers will be returning, and help will lie needed: therefore it is imperative that tho whole business Is put 011 a proper footing, so as to allow the money to bo expended in the direction for which it was subscribed.

(Signed) John I'. Luko (Mayor of Wellington), H. G. Hill, David M.'Laren, James M'lntosli.