PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3105, 8 June 1917, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

MEETING OF ADVISORY BOARD SOLDIERS AND DEPENDANTS ' The Advisory Board of the Now Zealand Patriotic Societies met in Wellington. yesterday. Present: Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp (chairman), Hon. J. T. Paul (Otugo), Messrs. V. Lorner (Auckland), W. P. kirk wood (Taranaki), E. H. Williams (Hawke's Bay), J. J. Dongu.ll (Canterbury), J. Grimmond (Wcstlnnd), J. Turnbull (Southland), and Hope Gibbons (Wnngaaul). Widowed Mothers. A letter from the Minister of Defence related to the representations made regarding separation allowance to widowed mothers of 6oldiers: "The present regulations under which payment of widowed mothers' separation allowance may be made," said the Minister, "Will in future be proportionately relaxed, as regard? the qualification of a minimum allotment of 3s. a day of deferred pay, in particular cases whore a soldier establishes that he is unable to' allot the full amount of his deferred pay. Each case will be dealt with on its merits, and the allowance will be granted, provided the mother's income from other sources does not exceed 7s, a week." The Minister added that it would be going too far to give effect to tho board's Tequest that the full oldage pension of 10s. weoHy should not debar applicants from receiving the separation allowance, since the mother would then bo better off than before -the soldier enlisted. . The chairman said that the Wellington Society was strongly of opinion that the allowance to a widowed mother should be increased to 10s: The Defence Department did not pay separation allowance to a widow who was receiving the old-age pension. The suggestion was that in cases where allowance was paid the amount should be 10s. instead of 75., as at present. Mr. Lamer said the position was_ exceedingly involved. The conditions of the widows varied widely, and the Government could not lay down any general rule to cover all cases without erring on one side or the other. He thought that the matter was one for the patriotic societies, which could loofcinto each case and make a grant if necessary. The amount of money, involved was not large. Mr. Hope Gibbons agreed that the societies should deal with cases as they arose. " . '. Mr. Dougall said that the British allowances appeared to be more liberal, than the New Zealand rates. After some, general discussion the board left the matter in the hands of the president and vice-president, who would interview the Minister of Defence. Postage on Parcels. A letter was read from tho Minister of Defence stating that tho postage on parcels tor soldiers could not bo further reduced. The cHarges already wero below cost, and the Post Othco lost on each parcel curried. Reciprocity With Australia, Souio discussion took placo regarding rcciprucal relations between New Zealand aud Australian patriotic organisations, ansiug from correspondence on the subject. , ' Tne chairman said the Wellington YVar Belief Association had a reciprocal arrangement with the Australians. Mr. Lamer said that the Auckland Society had assisted several Australian soldiers, and had heard that Now Zealanders had been assisted in Australia. Ho thought that an exchange of accountswas unnecessary. The amount of noney involved was. not large. /" The chairman said that Wellington experience suggested tho desirability of consulting the Australian organisations regarding Australians who claimed more than casual assistance in New Zealand. Tho board decided to accept tho principle of reciprocity, and to communicate with tho Australian societies on tho sub- , ject. . . ~ Question of Domicile./ "Tho question of tho responsibility of societies in connection with the dependants of men who have enlisted has been questioned by some of the societies, wrote the secretary of the South Canterbury Society, "and 1 am directed to ask the Advisory Board, if they will give a definite ruling upon thtf question. My committee have always understood that the domicile prior to cnlistement as stated in the attestation papers of tho soldier was to be taken a§ the basis of responsibility, but this has been Questioned by two society when applications have 'been referred to them reC< The' chairman said the original idea, had been to accept the classification of the Expeditionary Force Reserve rolls for tho determination of domicile, but only portions of the rolls had been isSU Mr. ■ Dousall said that v tho placo of domicile was the place of residence for three months prior to enlistment. _ Mr Larner urged that societies should not delay granting assistance while questions of domicile were being determined. When a society was dealins with an applicant another district it should forward a* definite recommendation and not a mer© Question to tho society responsible for the payThe board supported,'_ the '"three months' residence", definition _ of domicile, and decided to ask societies to make definite recommendations when dealing with cases from other, societies. Approaches the Government. The board approved of the following resolution, forwarded by the South Canterbury Society: "That the Advisory Board be asked to arrange that all societies wishing to bring matters of principle or policy before the Government should submit these to the Advisory Board for consideration, and submission to the Government if in the opinion of ill© board it is considered advisable." \ , Discharned Soldiers. ''Originally the Defence Department retained a soldier on the pay list until he was in a. fit condition to resume 'employment," wrote the Southland War funds Association. "It, also ojdered him to attend hospital for treatment. In these circumstances the soldier drew-his ordinary pay of ss. per day and 2s. extra per"day lodging allowance; now, we understand, the Defence Department discharges a man immediately ho arrives in New Zealand, and leaves the man to apply for a pension and for m'edical treatment at his own will. Reeent- - ly a, soldier arrived at Auckland, and could only get about with the uso of crutches; within a few days hft.-reaohed Invercargill with the discharge in his pocket, and still only able to move around bv means .of the crutches. In these circumstances my' committee feels that this new policy of discharging is one worthy of close inquiry by the Advisory Board." The chairman mentioned that the returned soldiers did, not understand always that they must apply for pensions anil allowances if they required such assistanceT" The Defence Department iiad taken steps to prevent hardship arising. Other Remits. The following remits moved by tho chairman were adopted:— Stamp Duty.—That tho Stamp Act should bo amended to provide that cheques issued by war relief and' patriotic societies whose constitution is approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs should hot bo liable to stamp duty. Soldiers' Financial Assistance BoardThat the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board should have power to assist all sailoi-3 wliose residence is in New Zealand or whose dependants reside in New Zealand. ! Tho chairman has arranged for the chairman of the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board to meet the Advisory Board and discuss tho position. Information Wanted. •Mr. Dougall moved: "That all affiliated societies be asked to supply the board with the following information: (1) Particulars of the constitution of the society; (2) the funds available for disbureinent; (3) the scale upon which grants are made to dependants of (a) soldiers on service, (b) deceased service;

(i) the scale upon -which grants are made to incapacitated soldiers; (5) the scale upon which grants . or advances are made to soldiers to' take up land or start in business. And that a buLmxhumittee, consisting of the chairman, tho vice-chairman, Hon. J. T. Paul, ana Mr. j)ougall be set up to consider the advisability of reconnncnding a uniform scheme of relief throughout the Dominion." _ Mr. Dougall said there was need of uniformity among the isocieties. • Tho motion was carried. . After dealing with other business the board rose.