WAR RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 145, 8 March 1918, Page 3

WAR RELIEF

VARIOUS IMPORTANT SUBJECTS ADVISORY BOARD DECISIONS The Federation of the New Zealand Patriotic War Relief Societies met in Wellington yesterday. Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp (Wellington' presided, and there were also present: Messrs. J. J. Dougall (Clinstchiirch), V. Lamer (Auckland), E. H. Williams .'Hawke's Bay), H. L. Sprntt (Tarnuaki), Hope Gibbons (Wanganui), A. Lever (West Coast), and E. Howard (Southland). Pensions Board Work. The Wellington Society forwarded the following resolution:—"That owing to dolays occurring in awarding pensions, due to thc absence of the Pensions Hoard from Wellington, we request the Advisory Board of the F.N.Z.P.W.R, societies to consider the , necessity of requesting the Government to appoint a second pensions hoard." The board considered that in the event of the Pensions Board being unable to cope with the whole of the work, another pensions hoard should be appointed. Employment for Discharged Soldiers. The following remit was received from .the Taranaki Association:—"tfhat the Taranaki War Relief Association lepieseut to the Advisorv Board that it urge upon the Government that pre- j ference should, in all cases, be given to j returned soldiers (when suitable) for ] Government billets, and that tho Civil j Service Commissioner and the Depart- i ments not under the Commissioner be ; instructed that wheii a position in the Civi l Service falls vacant in any pro- , vincial district that the War Relief) Association or society and the Return-; ed Soldiers' Association in that diet-not j be notified of the vacancy immediate- | ly." The chairman and the Taranaki delepa.te agreed to interview the Department on the subject. Mufti Allowance. The chairman and Mr. Larner were appointed a deputation to wait on the Minister and the board's representatives at a suggested conference between - thc Returned Soldiers' Association and the military authorities, on tho subject of mufti allowance. Surgical Boots. The Buller Society sent the following resolution:—"That where returned soldiers are in need of surgical boots, and | such need is supported by medical certificate, the amount, £2 10s., be paid, by the Defence Department, in placeof calling upon patriotic societies to pay the amount." It was decided to ask tho Buller Society ito provide the board with particulars of cases in whioh they have had to contribute toward payment for surgical boots, in order that representations can be made to the Minister of Defence on the question. Repatriation. The Marlborough Association urged upon the board the need of again pressing upon the Government the desirability of immediately establishing a repatriation department. It was decided that the chairman and the members- of the board should interview the National Efficiency Boar'd with the object of forming a. general deputation to the Prime Ministei to ascertain what is being done in tho way of establishing a repatriation department. Funeral Expenses of soldiers. The following AVellingtou remit was approved:—"That the War Relief Association of Wellington cohsidor the period of liability as set out u clause 3 of draft regulations relative, to soldiers' funerals should be extended to a minimum period of twelve months of their discharge from disabilities contracted in tho service." Funds for Fit Men. The following memorandum was preBeuted by the lion., secretary:—"As a result of a communication received from the New Zealand War Contingent Association, London, stating that fuuds were required for the entertain, ment of fit men, instructions were sent by cable for the transfer of the sum of £1000 from the Sick and Wounded i'und to the fund for fit men. The following contributions have also been made:—luangahua, £5; Bulls, £25; Auckland, £250; Wesfcland, £10; Tail'ape. £11 j AVairarapa, £500; Auckland, £250 : total, £1051. Of the total £790 has been remitted to London, and thc balance, £261, is in hand, waiting to be cabUd immediately." It was resolved to ask the affiliated , societies to contribute £3000, to bo forwarded to the New Zealand War Contingent Association in LoudoD for the benefit"of, fit men on furlough, ; Regimental Funds. On the motion of Air. Larner, seconded by Mr. Dougall, it was resolved :- "That the Advisory Boatd, being satisfied that battalion or regimental funds are necessary for the bencl't ot our soldiers, recommends that in lieu of each district in die Dominion contributing to its o>vn regiment or battalion, a couifiou fund should ho established, amounting to £1500 a year, from each monthly remittance to i.e made, and that the various patriotb societies contribute pro rata to that fund. The board further, recommends that such of the societies as may be precluded by their constitutions from """assisting towards this fund' should take immediate steps to amend their constitution, v,o permit of contribations being made. ,.