SOLDIERS' WELFARE ABROAD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 57, 30 November 1917, Page 6

SOLDIERS' WELFARE ABROAD

WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION'S WORK

WHY LORD PLUNKET

RESIGNED

REORGANISATION SCHEME

(From a Correspondent.)

London, Septombor 14. ! The excellent work of tho New Zealand War Contingent Association in looking after New Zealand soldiers in hospital and on leave in England is no doubt becoming gradually appreciated in New Zealand. Soma months ago J. sent The Dominion a lengthy description of the ground tho association was covering, and of my personal experience as a soldier in the ranks of its work in keeping touch with wounded men in hospital and in tho convalescent camps and depots. Sinco then a change in the organisation has taken place. Lord Plunket has retired from tho chairmanship of the Executive Committee, and his place has been takon by Mr. I. W. Raymond, formerly of Southland, who has throughout been ono of the most indefatigable workers connected with tho association.

The reason for Lord Plunket's retirement will not bo generally known in tho Dominion, and many people will bo anxious to know what brought it about. It will bo remembered that one of the earliest pieces of work of the association was to acquire and equip tho Mount Felix Hospital at/' Walton-on-Thames, now known as tho New Zealand No. 2 General Hospital, shortly after the arrival of the military in this country, they intimated their intention of taking this hospital over in connection with a military schemo. This occasioned some soreness, and Lord Plunket did not attempt to hide his feelings in connection with tho matter. Other little rifts in .the lute took place, and when later on a considerable portion of the money with, whjph the associatiop \tyfl carrying ou its good work, reached their coffers from the New Zealand Hed Cross, it gave Mr. C. Elgar (Red Oross Commissioner) a certain position. Ihe military rather suddenly conceived the idea of only working with the lvcd Cross Commissioner and not with the association. It was, however, fully recognised that while nominally they consulted the Red Cross Commissioner, the actual distribution was done by. the association. This policy tended in a direction that was not acceptable to tho chairman of the executive of the organisation, who had his committees and his staff, and it was quite obvious that to secure effective administration there could bo no dual control. Tho functions of tho association embraced work for fit as well as sick and wounded men. In tho former department no Rod Cross-money could ha expended, so some organisation was necessary to deal with this side of the question. In any caso it would never have done to have had two heads. Mr. Raymond was asked by the executive to submit a scheme of reconstruction, which after consideration was approved. The main factor of the scheme provided for Lord Plunket being chairman of the Red Cross Committee as well as chairman of the executive, the position of commissioner being still held by Mr. Elgar. It was at this stage that Lord Plunket retired. Lord Plunket had devoted a great deal of time to the affairs of the association, and had worked in the most amicable way with the chairman of his various committees and all the staff, and their esteem for him is finding expression in a personal presentation which is taking place in a week or two. Mr. Raymond was unanimously chosen to succeed _ him, .but I understand that he made it a condition before accepting the position that there could bo no dual control as to the disposition of the funds sent from New Zealand for the sick aud wounded or fit men. He maintained that the executive, which had been chosen by the subscribers, comprised men well known in the Dominion, and they should be a sufficient guarantee that the money would be wisely and economically dis'tributed. His view was that it would be impossible to secure effective co-ordination unless tho military recognised the chairman of the executive as the sole and only person to approach officially.

I liavo good reason to know that Mr. Raymond's election met with the warm approval of General Richardson and the heads of the various staffs. He has, of course, for over two and .a half years been, very closely in touch with them, and they seem to be able to work together most amicably. One can quite understand, however, that there must be occasions when difficulties arise with that enthusiastic band of Dominion civilians anxious to do all they can for the boys, whilst, on the other hand, the military must maintain tho strictest disoipline. The position financially of the association is that a substantial propottiou or the i'uuds is received from the! Mew Zealand lied Cross Society through its committee in Lonaou. This money can only be devoted to ministering to tho comforts ot the sicU and wounded. JHr. Raymond states, that tiio association has always been scrupulously careful not to expend any of this money purposes other than tlioso for which it was remitted, and that no 'associatiou in the kingdom could come through an inquiry as to the expejiditu'ru ot Red Cross moneys with a better record. Tho. recent criticism of the associations finances by ilu Gun>,on, Alajui of Auckland, has, 1 understand, already been met by a letter winch has been sent to tne J\e\v Zealand Press. Colonel I'arkes, on whose observations Mr. Uunson's remarks weru based, has written to tin: association expressing his regret that his letter to Sir. Gunson was misinterpreted. On inquiry 1 learn : .that tho position is that the association never received any money from the Auckland Red Cross for handing over in Coionel I'arkes. Colonel Parkes has always obtained from 'the association practically everything he has asked it to supply. ■ lii order to understand the relations of the association with the military it is necessary to bear in mind that General Richardson has laid down an inexorable rule that the medical authorities before applying for funds for any purpose outside tho regimental equipment must first obtain his ..pproval to such expenditure. This means that any commanding officer of a hospital requiring articles for thu patients nnfst put his request for tho assistance of tile association direct to Colonel lVkcs, .Deputy-Director of Medical Services, who in turn, no doubt, will obtain the authority of tho general. Tlio association may then make a grant, but not otherwise. '