The Dominion. TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1916. THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS
The position as regards the administration and control of the funds which havo been raised in various parts of New Zealand for war relief purposes is still "far from satisfactory. It is quite time that a definite policy was decided upon. Tho existing uncertainty is the subject of much adverse criticism. These funds amount to a very large sum, and it is of great importance that they should bo used in tho proper way and to the best possible advantage. • The problems involved have been discussed at various times and. from almost every point of view, but the societies concerned have not yet been able to reach a generally acceptable working agreement. Another conference is to be held next month, and it is to be hoped that a clear understanding will then bo arrived at, There seems w ha con' I
siderable difference of opinion between the Government and the societies as regards the precise purposes to which the moneys subscribed by the public should bo devoted. The Minister of Public Health has made proposals regarding their expenditure which have not found favour with some of the societies. The objections which have been raised to requests for votes for the establishment and equipment of .hospitals are well founded. TV -public never imagined that their' voluntary donations would be_ used for such purposes. The Minister recently asked the Wellington War Belief Association to assist in providing funds for the equipment of the Rotorua Convalescent Home for Sick and Wounded Soldiers. The Chairman of the Association undoubtedly voiced the opinion of the general public when he stated that the Government appeared to be getting into the habit of doing the "bare minimum" in these matters, and calling upon the public to do the rest. ' The Association declined to agree to the request, and the Auckland Association took up a similar attitude. /The Minister's ideas have evoked some adverse comment in Auckland. Mr. Russell, in hitting back at his critics, declared that the money raised in Auckland was not being used for "the benefit of men who had sacrifice! their all," but was being loaned out for long periods, so that soldiers who needed it just noM could not touch it. The president of the Auckland _ Association most emphatically denied Mr. Russell's assertion, and stated that in the investment of the-money both the present and future needs of those for whose benefit it was collected were being provided for. We refer to this controversy merely for the purpose of showing the need for a definite understanding between the Government and the associations. It is quite time that all Concerned should know just where tho' responsibilities of the Government should stop and the activities of the associations should begin. _ While the associations are thoroughly justified in resisting attempts to draw upon their funds for requirements which should be paid for out of taxation, they must remember that the moneys entrusted to them are meant to be used, not hoarded. They should' not, of course, be frittered away, but administered carefully, yet generously, for the purposes for which they were raised. It is very desirable that some national plan of operations should be devised and adopted. Such a scheme would prevent overlapping and secure equalisation of benefit. 'If this ideal should prove to be unattainable, then the various district associations should upon certain broad lines of policy, and keep_ in close touch with one another in order to ensure that the benefits are distributed as fairly as possible, and to reduce friction and waste to a minimum. The associations do not seem to be at all sure about their own position and Huties. For instance; the President of the Auckland Association recently sent £25 for the purchase of Christmas comforts for men at Rotorua, and suggested that the Rotorua Committee should also make a contribution. But the Chairman of the Rotorua Committee expressed doubt as to whether the proposed expenditure was quite in keeping with the objects of the fund. He also expressed the opinion that local committees should be consulted before money was voted for expenditure in their districts. Incidents like this illustrate the need for a well-thought-out and comprehensive plan. Sick and wounded soldiers are now coming back in considerable numbers, and dependents of those who fiave fallen have to be cared for. The machinery i of relief should bo placed in working order. The public! is getting impatient at the de r lay, and people are beginning to wonder whether any of those who have the right to look for help are' being neglected. It is certainly surprising to find that only about £100 has been so far distributed, in the Wellington district out of a fund of something like £70,000 subscribed by the people. It would be extremely regrettable if any sick or wounded soldiers, or their dependents, were being deprived of needed assistance simply because of the absence of a definite understanding between the Government and the patriotic associations, or owing to the failure of the associations to discover and agree upon a workable system of co-opera-tion and reciprocity. The public have a right to expect that the coming conference will arrive at a satisfactory solution of the problems of administration, and that (lie Government will promptly make a pionouncement regarding its responsibilities. It should be borne in mind that the patriotic funds were not raised for the purpose of keeping down taxation, hut in 'order to provide something over. and above, after the Government has done all that it can reasonably bo expected to do. The voluntary giver must not be asked to do too much. The taxpayer should be made to bear his proper share of the burden.
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2677, 25 January 1916, Page 4
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959The Dominion. TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1916. THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2677, 25 January 1916, Page 4
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