PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3164, 16 August 1917, Page 9

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES

ADVISORY BOARD MEETING IN WELLINGTON The Advisory Hoard of the Nciv Zoitlauu I'atriolio War Belief Societies met ill Wellington yesterday. Mr. L- 0. 11. Tripp provided. There wore present also Messrs. .1. .1. Dongall (Canterbury), V. Tarner (Auckland), W. I'. Kirkwood (Taranalci), W. W. Snodarass (iVelsoji), I?. If. Bi'rroll (Gisbonio), E. J. Harvey (Marlborough), K. Campbell'-(Southland), Jl. l''oivler (Southland), J. Grinunoiid (Westland), 13. ]|. Williams (Ifftwks'n J'ay), H. Oibbons (Wauijanui), and tho lion. J. T. Paul (Dunedin). ■With respect to the Soldier?' I'inaneiat Assistance Hoard, tho following letter from tho Minister ivas read:—"l have come to the conclusion that it is not ;tdvisablo to send copies of tho decisions of the Financial Aseistnnco Board to tho patriotic, societies. ]n luv opinion it; mijjht disclose information nud names which applicants for assistance might not: -wish disclosed. The secretary, l''inaiieial Assistance Board, suggests t.hat r.ny possibility of overlapping could bo avoided -were the patriotic societies to obtain from tho applicant signed statement beforo the expiration of the period of the Krant, as to whether any communication had boon received from tho Financial Assistance Board. Acting upon tho sssurcinco that the patriotic societies' allowances are of a temporary nature only, tho board has ignored the patriotic societies' weekly allowance, where shown in tho application fonu. The step suggested can be easily accomplished, seeing that the inquiry notice could bo forwarded by the patriotic society ; io tho gratuitant in tho same envelope as tho filial week's allowance, and could bo returned with tho receipt therefor. A. largo amount of what appears to bo unnecessary work would bo entailed, apart from the question as to the advisability of circulating the board's determinations broadcast.'' Comforts for Soldiers. It was resolved:—"That this board is of ,t:liB opinion that ample provision should bo mado for Now' Zealand soldiers who aro not sick or -wounded, and who are not fighting in the trenches, and that tho chairman roalio inquiries by cable as to the provision.being mado for such men and report to affiliated societies." Institutions for Returned Soldiers. ' It was resolved to adopt tho following Hawke's Bay remit:—"That it be a recommendation to the Advisory Board that representations be mado to _ tho Government with a view to emphasising tho necessity of establishing institutions for tho benefit of. returned soldiers prior lo their discharge who are suffering from shell shock or neurosis ati(l who aro temporarily mentally incapablo of carrying on any occupation for their own. support."

Taxation for Patriotic Work. Gisborne romittcd the following for the consideration of tho board: —"That in view of tho inability of the'public generally to continue their voluntary subscriptions, owing to the heavy weight of spocial war taxation, it is desirable that tho Government relievo tho various patriotic societies by imposing the neees.' sary extra taxation for-.further relief of rotiimed Goldiers on such a. general basis as shall ensnro that tho weight may fall in just and fair proportions on all those 'who should contribute. 1 " The beard referred the matter to tho Dominion Conference to be held to-day. Matters from Wanganui.

.Tho following Wangaimi finatters wero referred to to-day's conference:—. "Income Tax—ln order to encourage donations to patriotic funds, that all such donations bo exempt from income tax, a receipt or voucher, signed by the secretary of a; patriotic association, could be attached to tho income tax returns showing the amount donated." • ; ' '"Patriotic Appeals—That all- appeils to tho- public in tlio nature of tho soldicTS' homos, hostols, art unions, nnd kind' should first bo submitted to ilio local associations concerned for their consideration and approval. For instance, an appeal bv some society, or body m Wellington should be approved oi the war relief- associations, winch would signify to other associations .that tho object is worthy of consideration and supP lt was'reported that the matter of the burial expenses of returned soldiers was being considered by tlio Minister of De.fence, and ifc decided to await a, further' communication.