A NATIONAL SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2526, 29 July 1915, Page 9

A NATIONAL SCHEME

POOLIN6 OF PATRIOTIC FUNDS

TENTATIVELY ADOPTED'

SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES

The conference convened for tho purpose of bringing about some form of amalgamation of the various patriotic funds in existence throughout New Zealand in one national fund was held in the City Council Chamber yesterday, under tho presidency of the Mayor '. (Mr. J. P. Lutye), and after an all day sitting the scheme submitted by Mr. C. P. Skerrett was tentatively adopted. ";.The delegates present were as follow:— Messrs. H. Holland, E. T. Tosswill, and .Cyrus J. E. Williams (Christchureh), Of. M. Spence (Blenheim), Wesley Spragg and C. J. Pare (Auckland), Hon. W. Morgan (Gisborne), A. ITraser (Foxton), Sir W. C. Buchanan, Wm. Perry, J. W. Coradme, H. Morrison, A. O. Considine (Wairarapa), L. 0. H. Tripp, and 11. G. Hill, Jas. M'lntosh; (Wellington), T. H. ! A. Field", N.. W. Snodgrass (Nelson), G. R. Cray, J. Maling (Timaru), C. C. Crump (Khandallah),' A. C.-, Manning (Hamilton), R. W. Smith (Taihapc), Hope Gibbous, and C. E. Mackay (Wangama), 6. R. Horner (Patea), H. ]). N. Hasyard and J. Grim'iiiond (Wcstland), If. C. Wilson (Marton), E. Dixon (Hawera), A. Leaver (Westport), R! Galbraith (Ashbui-ton),-J. E. Wilson (New Plymouth), J. J. Clark (Dunedin), G. Young (In'glewood), C. Speight (Dunedin), B. T. Burn (Ivarori), A. M. Ongley (Feilding), T. C. Turner (Eketahuna), D. Hebenton (Greyfcown), J. B. Richards (Stratford), E. A. Ransom (Danne-rirke), and G. J. Anderson. (Gore).

-; The chairman (Mr. Luko), in welcoming ,the delegates, said there was no business connected with the war more important than that which they had to consider at tho conference. There would bo only one speaker outside tho delegates. That would bo'Mr.'o. ; P. Skerrett, .who had devoted so-much time-to thinking out a scheme that would serve tho whole -of tho Dominion. •

Points for: Consideration. Mr. Skerrett then set forth his scheme, which entails the formation of an assooiatioh with branches in the different dis tricts,. the pooling of all funds under one administration. The great point of controversy which had cropped up' at Tuesday's conference was on the point of levies, as to whether it should be compulsory or optional'for the'funds of, one branch to assist the depleted funds of another branch. Really this was the crux of the whole scheme. If they could not agree upon that. Ib would be impossible to establish a national scheme. He pointed out, however, that provision was made that the funds of no branch could be drawn upon unless they had money enough to keep them going for the ensuing two years, based upon the disbursements made in the two past years. The bulk of the' work would be for the committee which may be set .up, by the conference, who would have to "defino the districts, making thom not too small or not too large, setting up of branches to have sole control in those districts and the coalescing of all funds within those districts. -That could not be done by correspondence—there would have'to be. an exeoutive officer who would have to visit every district' and explain the. scheme, smooth away difficulties, and. get it' all into, good working order. There was no scheme which interfered.less with, local control than this one, and none that would serve, better the needß ,of a national scheme. In reply to a question,' Mr. Skerrett explained that by the pooling of funds they, would only, be pooled for the purpose of investment, but 'the funds oi each branch .would be .kept separate in the hooks. He pointed iou't that the provincial scheme' adopted on Tuesday was adaptable to;- a Dominion scheme with' a slight alteration or .modification concerning tho setting up of a general committee, which in the case of -the national scheme should in turn its own sub-committee or executive. Mr. Wesley Spragg (Auckland) explained that he and Mr. C. J. Parr were not prepared to give a definite vote on any question that would commit his body in any. way. He would to the best of his ability collect wisdom from the conference and report to Ms body. Mr. Skerrett said that something had to be done, but what they decided on today would commit no one definitely, A Dominion Association. The chairman moved: "That an association shall be constituted and incorporated for the administration of the funds belonging to the war relief funds within the Dominion, to be called the Dominion War Relief Funds Association."

•Mr. C. Williams (Christchurch) thought that by moving such a proposal the chairman w;as begging the whole question. He ■would move, as an amendment: "That local centres' be first 1 formed,- and that their federation be then considered." Sir Walter. Buchanan seconded ■ the amend-' ■merit.

-Mr. Cray, (Timaru) said lie did not think that the' question of one branch .assisting another should enter into the matter. Ho would feel it .an honour if the funds of his branch were called upon to assist those, of a -depleted branch. (Applause.) Mr. Skerrett said that' Mr. Williams's amendment was calculated to wreck all chances of bringing about a national scheme. Mr. C. J. Parr (Auckland) thought the Mayors resolution was the most: important one of the day, and was one that should be given careful consideration. He would .support the resolution, as he did they could do' any Tiarm In affirming the principle of a national scheme. Ho thought there should bo a federation—a loose federation, perhaps, as they must do nothing to check local effort, as they were likely to do if there was close centmlity of control. ' ' t rf - Hilh in toeing the history of tlie national scheme, stated that it was the - Christchurch delegates who suggested national federation.

Messrs. Tosswill and Holland (Christ-' church) both intimated their intention of supporting the resolution. Mr. Hope Gibbons (Wanganui) and G. ■i -Anderson, M.P., also supported the resolution. . , -Mr. Williainß (Christchurch)'said that from what all the'speakers had said only strengthened his belief that he was right. The amendment was lost, and the motion was carried by. an overwhelming majority. Levies on Branches, In disoussing the nutter of levies on branches, the chairman made the statement that the idea was to invest funds with the Public Trustee, who would give them at least per cent, interest and tho matter of administrative expenses "would not be heavy. ; Mr.- Parr (Auckland), in speaking to the clause (levies on branches) pointed out that it was: natural to help their own before strangers.

' Voices: No,, no.. Thero aie no strangers. All one family!. The clause in dispute was as follows:— "To levy such sums as may be necessary upon branches within the Dominion which may possess a surplus of money in their hand 9 for the benefit of branches whose funds may become or may be likely to become insufficient for the provision of relief." ■ ' On being put to the conference the clause was agreed to without iv dissentient voice, ' : Representation. There was considerable discussion on the point of representation on the Conference. The proposition put forward by Mr, Skerrett was that representation should be on a basis of monetary contributions from the"branches. The chairman explained that at Tuesday's conference it was decided that the representation should be on branch areas on the ground'that some of tho poorer districts might be contributing as many, or more men to the forces. Tho position of the West Coast (South Island) was quoted as an example. In that case the district was not rich in funds, but it had. on more than one occasion seiit more than its quota of men to tho reinforcements.' (Hear, hear.) 'Mr. Parr was inclined to agree with Mr. Skerrett that tlio monetary contribution should be the main factor, perhaps not the only factor, in arriving nt a basis of representation. Mr. A. E, Manning (Hamilton) pointed

out that there were districts ..a proportion of whose money contributions luid been forwarded to a centre. Ho thought each branch shonld bo given equol representation.

Mr. Holland (Christohuroli) said ho did not like tho idea of alloying £ s. d. to govern the matter of representation. Mi'. Skorrett said that ha did not know whether Mr.' Manning's suggestion tva? not tho. best way out of. tho difficultytliat each branch bo allowed two delegates, who would have one vote each. Mr. Clay suggested that a better way out would bo to name' a maximum number of delegates from each military district.

Mr. Spragg moved an amendment basing representation on. tho appointment of on» delegate for so much money contributed, and ono delegate to so many men raised. :

In speaking to bis amendmont. Mr. Spragg slated that it had been sujfgfeted that sentiment should play no part in the matter. He thought that it certainly should bo a consideration, as it was only when one touched tho Teal sentiment of a man that, you got tho best out of him. The .amendment was lost on tho .voices. Other Amendments. Mr. Tosswill (Christchurch) moved: "That each branch whose total funds collected; for the objects herein;' descnted as shown\in the last audited balance-sheet exceeds J25000 shall have ono delegate, and each branch whose funds exceed shall appoint two delegates." Mi'. ' Cyrus Williams seconded the amendment. A delegate: "What about the branches .that cannot' raise ifiriOOO?" Mr. Skerrett: "There will bo no eucn branches.'*- ■ Tho amendment was lost by 19 to ,50. Mr. Holland moved as a further amend mcnt that, the basis of representation bo on the military districts— six delegates from each district, making 21 delegates altogether." He did not think that it would be .very difficult to arrange lepresentation on such a basis. Mt. Clark (Dunedin) seconded the amendment.'Mr. Holland's amendment was lost. Mr. Perry moved (amended . by Mr. Skerrett): "That each branch shall be entitled to appoint on e delegate if it possesses funds, not exceeding .£20,000, two delegates if it possesses funds not exceeding .£50,000, and three delegates if it possesses funds exceeding i£50,000, each delegate to have one vote." " i This was unanimously agreed to, and became the substantive motion (in lieu of the printed proposal). It was explained that" in tho case of only one Jelrsgiate'attending to represent a branch entitled to two or more delegates, the one could avail himself of proxies for voting purposes.