WAR SCHOLARSHIPS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 296, 3 September 1918, Page 6

WAR SCHOLARSHIPS

A BIG FOUNDATION SCHEME TO RAISE FUNDS DOMINION-WIDE CANVASS A. project, for tlio raising of a considerable sum of money i'or a foundation for scholarships for the dependants of killed and disabled soldiers hiis been originated in Trentham Camp, and it bus lately been developed by business men with foresight and experience. The scheme began in the smallest way. Colonel Potter, Commandant at Trentham Camp, made himself responsible for the cost of.tlio publication of the book, "Historic Treiitliam," produced by Mr. Will Lawson, and the profits amounted to a considerable sum of money—some hundreds of pounds. The question ai once aroso as to how these moneys should bo used.- Colonel Potter conceived the idea of founding scholarships for the dependants of disabled and fallen soldiers, and to that end he had trustees appointed for the dispensation,of the moneys. The enlargement of the scheme followed, soon. Tho idea now is to make a Dominion appeal for funds for ,the establishment of a considerable foundation, saj, £100,000, whicliJ with principal and interest, will provide scholarships for a number of the sons and' daughters of soldiers who have by tlic accidents of war been deprived of the privileges -which the world might otherwise have held for then. The executive committee had arranged to wait on Ministers yesterday, but" unfortunately the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) was unable to be present. The oiilv Ministers in attendance were the Hon. W. H. 'Hemes and tlio Hon. W. -D. S. MacDonald.

Appeals for Aid. Mr. S. 'Kirkcaldie said that the object of the deputation wa-s to inform Ministers that recently funds had been inaugurated in Trentham Damp for tho establishment of scholarships for the children of New Zealand soldiers who had suffered by the war. After this nucleus had been established, Dr. lliddell, of Hawke's Bay, took an interest in the scheme. He'obtained there substantial donations in money and kind towards a big art union. Application was -'mule to the Minister of Internal Affairs for permission to hold an art imibn, but as iho scope of _ the schenie ha 4 grown in tfw meantime, and as they thought to make » T>oidn-ion-wido effort, the '.Minister «»ks>-J them to set up a strong supervising committee. The committee was formed, and Jho following officers had been appointed in Wellington;— Trustees, Jlajor-Goneral Sir Alfred Robin. ColPotter, Dr. W. J. Anderson (Director of Education); committee, Colonel Potter, Colons! Roborts, Messrs. S. Kirkcaldie. C. P. Skerrett, James' Macintosh, James M'Lellnn, Louis Bi'.iiidoll, George Dixon, Harold Boauchamp, Eric. Riddiford, W. Watson, W. Reece (Christchurch), and, Dr. Riddell (Hawke's .Hay). The committee has powor to add to its number. Having set up the committee they had received, the license to proceed with the arb union, and they had received 17(1 prizes, of a total value of £6270. Tho intention was to sell tickets' at Is. per ticket throughout the Dominion. Ono of their ideas was to send from Trentham the band and a bayonet fighting squad ail over the country, and so to let tho public know what the men were being taught in Trentham. Of Mr. Herrios they asked that free railway tickete be given for the band and the bayonet lighters, and a free pass for their organiser. Of the- Post-master-Genoral they asked free Postal privileges for correspondence "utAFids for tho art union. The paid officers of tho scheme would I>p an organiser, a secretary, anil possibly a few clerks later. The object was to provide such a sum of meney as could be made available, principal and interest, to provide scholarships for the children' of soldiers disabled or killed in the war. The constitution governing the trnst would be prepare!, by Mr. Skerrett and Dr. Anderson.

The Duty of the State, Dr. Anderson, spoke in supiwrt of the objects of the scheme. His general idea was that the Government owed to the dependants of the men who had Buffered by the war an obligation to see that their children did not suffer by the fact that their fathers had fought and bled for their country. The Government had to some extent recognised this obligation by providing war bursaries. The obligation had been recognised also by such private benefactors as Mr. Heaton Rhodes, whoso donation had been supplemented by Government subsidy. He would urge that the result of this appeal should have the supplement of a Government subsidy. Colonel Potter spoke of the national importance of the, scheme, and also lie urged the importance of letting the people of the country see what sort of training was being given to ..their boys. A Matter for Cabinet. Tito Hon. W. D. 5. Mac Donald said that the Government appreciated the patriotic endeavours of this committoo, and of all other committees which had sot out to achievo similar objects. Probably 110 more' important matter had ever been brought beforo the Government. He had not had the opportunity of examining I;he scheme, but ho did hope that it would be to some extent self-supporting. Every member of the Government recognised the importance of the movement, but for his part he would like to examine the proposal carefully beforo committing himself to any definite answers upon it.Ho thought the matter was ine which must have the consideration of the full Cabinet. The Hon. W. H. Hcrrief congratulated the promoters of the scheme on having got together such a strong committee. As 'to his 'Department,! he could not give a decided answer to, the requests made of him as Jlinistor. Before he could do so he would have to consult his Department. The difficultv might bo that other organisation's would immediately demand like concessions if a free pass wero given to the organiser of the art union. These questions would havo to be considered by Cabinet, aud he would be very glad to place the matter beforo tile Acting Prime Minister.