SOLDIERS' CLUBS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 120, 7 February 1918, Page 6

SOLDIERS' CLUBS

VIEWS OF A CABINET MINISTER. By Association. Auckland, February 6. A proposal by the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association to establish a permanent club in Auckland came before tho executive of tho Patriotic Association to-day. A telegram was received from tho Minister of Internal Affairs as follows:—"I have received a letterfrom the Returned Soldiers' Association requesting authority to make an appeal to the public for £50.000 for the erection of a permanent Soldiers' Club in Auckland. For youi information I have to state that the law has been amended, and it would appear that my approval of the proposal as a war fund may be necessary. I think the erection of expensive clubs, which will cost a considerable annual sum for maintenance after their erection, is very questionable as regards desirability. Distinction between returned soldiers and the rest of the people should he discouraged rather than accentuated. The men should be encouraged to return to their civilian occupations and associations. The further patriotism of the peonle shouTc? be directed to supporting existing patriotic funds for the benefit of suffering soldiers and their dependants, rather than to clubs and places of entertainment. The war is not yet over, and many more claims will com" for assistance of our brave men and those who are dependent on them. Under tlieso circumstances I regret that I'cannot without the consent of Cabinet approve of tho fund. I shall bring the matter before Cabinet as earlv as possible."

The chairman of the association said that be' had telegraphed to the effect that the views_ of the Minister renresonted the attitude of the association. The chairman's action was endorsed.