THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2662, 6 January 1916, Page 3

THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS

NEED FOR ORGANISATION MINISTER SUGGESTS A CONFERENCE A suggestion that a conference of patriotic societies should be hold to consider various matters connected with the administration of their funds is made by the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, in a circular which he. is sending out to patriotic societies all over New Zealand. Following is the text of the circular:—! As tho number of returned soldiers increases, somo 3000 having .already /returned to New; Zoalland, it becomes imperatively necessary that steps tehould be taken to organise,' as far as possible, the work of the patriotic societies, in order that there may be no overlapping, and that the full necessities of. our men may be'recognised. As the evolution of events has proceeded, it has,become clear that tho responsibilities of the Government in connection with the men will end with their discharge. For. the assistance of those who'are either .partially or totally disabled, a pension scheme, has been establishedj which I believe ranks'as the most liberal in the world. At first some difficulties •arose, ■ but these were entirely matters of administration, and have since "Seen rectified, with the result that under the Hon. Mr. Myers the _ pension scheme is now being administered with justice and liberality eo far as the legislation and the finance of-the Dominion admit. The Discharged Soldiers' Department, under the Hon. Mr. Herdman, has also vigorously dealt'with the position, and steps have .been taken by that Department for the purpose of assisting capable and deserving men to employment, and _ preparing for their future. The Public Health Department has also been organised for the purpose of I dealing with the sick and wounded men, and further steps are'to be taken to establish other convalescent homes, both for officers find men, with a view of assisting them back' to full mental, and- physical health as far as possible. Special institutions aro being ' established for neuresthemc patients, the 'number of whom will increase as tho war goes on, in order that every assistance may be given the men to secure a full return to mental as well as physical health. " The Government responsibility clearly ends with the discharge by the' Military and Medical Boards of men from the service, and I presume that the patriotic committees, who are in possession of very, large sums raised for sick and wounded soldiers, will fully recognise that after the men have been discharged their responsibility , begins. I may point out that in Great, Britain a War Contingent Association has been established for the purpose of assisting : the soldiers after tlieir discharge. A great deal remains to be done in New Zealand; and I venture to direct; the. attention of • all patriotio committees. to. the following list of objects adopted l>y the Wellington War Relief Association, and which I commend to other committees throughout tho Dominion:—" : The relief and .benefit of wounded, insapacitated, and ' necessitous soldiers iind sailors and auxiliaries, and those, in any way dependent on them or those dopendent on "deceased soldiers' and sailors, and auxiliaries. To erect-and maintain, homes, hospitals, or other similar institutions for any of . the purposes of tho association, or. to contribute by subsidies, or otherwise, to any such institution; and to raise funds for any sueli purpose; or devote part of its fluids to any such purpose. " . . The question of overlapping, and the desirability of preventing the .funds raised for our soldiers being exploited by either sham and dishonest men who have -never enlisted, or by others who do. not realise their responsibilities and wish to take advantage of the patriotism of the people, is becoming increasingly apparent. . To prevent this, and to organise the relief funds in order that their administration may proceed upon sound lines', it appears to me most desirable that a conference should be called of patriotic committees, at which definite lines of organisation and administration should be laid down, and a system of intercommunication established by which overlapping may be prevented. ' As Minister entrusted with the administration of the War Fund Act, 1915, I have no desire to in any way interfere with the patriotic committees m their administration. I would therefore suggest that if the proposals herein made are agreed to, the patriotic, committees should entrust me with tho responsibility of merely calling such a conference at a" date that will be convenient, say for the in the month of February. Beyond Sailing the conference together, I propose to take no part in it unless requested

y the conference. I shall therefore bo ,lad if your committee will indicate to .110 whether it considers such a conference as that suggested is desirable, and whether it is'agreeable that I should call the conference for the date suggested.