IS IT PATRIOTIC RELIEF?

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 292, 29 August 1918, Page 6

IS IT PATRIOTIC RELIEF?

CASE BEFORE WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION. • A.t tho meeting of tho executive committee of the War Relief Association vestcrday the point was raised by Mr. J. Lewis as to how far .a returned man should be assisted by tho association. He wished to bring beloru tho executive the case of a man who was an experienced farmer, and who had an exceptional chance to do well for himself by the acquisition of a property that was in the market, but could not do so because he had no security to offer. He had been to the Government with his proposition, apd, though they thought it a good one, they yould not help him because he had no security. To his (Mr. Lewis's) mind that was the class of man tliey should assist, not the one who was able to produce ample security, especially wheny.as in this case, the applicant had a good record at the front— he never touched drink, he had been gassed, and had a. "very good conduct" discharge. He thought it was. their, duty to assist men like that who had done their duty to the Empire. In reply to questions, Mr. Lewis said the property was a pig farm, for which the owner (who had made a fortune out of it) wanted £2000. but was not prepared, to accept a second mortgage. The chairman (Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp) said the Government was advancing up to £750 on farm lands. Mr. Leach (secretary) said the Crown was advising soldiers not to go on tho laud without having something to put up by way of security. Mr. A. Macintosh said it was only right that the Government should take first charge, but that need not mean all. . Mr. G. Shirtcliffe said that they must see that such transactions were not such as would benefit the vendor. Mr. Macintosh: Here we have a case which the Government has turned down, and for which the vendor wants his last penny—he won't take a mortgage. Mr. Lewis: The Government thought the propositi was all right. The man comes from Auckland, but, as you know, the Auckland Association will not assist any soldier into a business. 'Mr. Macintosh: He's an Auckland man, too. Why should we assist an Auckland man that the Auckland Association refuses to assist? In the end Mr. Lewis was asked to produce liis man, and-to especially notify Mr. Shirtcliile when he was going to do so.