CANTEEN FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 278, 18 August 1921, Page 6

CANTEEN FUNDS

♦ AND HELP FOR THE NAVY SOLDIERS THINK CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME PROTEST AGAINST ALLOCATION OF INTEREST Ths allocation of interest from the Canteen Fund by the New Zealand Conference of Returned Soldiers’ Associations to naval propaganda was severely criticised by members of the. Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association at a general meeting last night. After heated discussion, much of which was of a personal nature, the following resolution, moved by Mr. A. B. Sievwright, was carried:— “That this meeting of the Wellington R.S.A., while affirming its loyalty and appreciating the necessity for the strength of a British Empire Navy, regrets that this association was not consulted before the proposals for the expenditure of the in forest of the canteen funds were affirmed; and the meeting recommends that the interest of the canteen funds be wholly devoted to the relief of disabled soldiers and dependants. Tho matter was .first brought up■ by Mr. W. Derry (the president of the Wellington Association), and) then by Mr. D. J. B. Seymour, it having arisen out of the reports of delegates to tho Palmerston North and Dunedin conferences. Mr. Seymour eaid that the first year s interest had been promised for naval propaganda—an amount of 44000 or .£5OOO. The capital, over 4100,000, would not be touched. He deprecated any idea of "cutting up” the funds for the purposes of giving returned soldiers houses. Were that done only about 41 would be given to each man. Even if it was devoted to the relief of returned soldiers, it .would be a drop in the bucket; and it was best to keep it for a fighting fund. "The time may come when we will need patriotic funds again,” he added). „ "Not the Wish of Soldiers.”

Mr. Sievwright complained that the action of the conference in Dunedin was not the wish of the soldiers. He Maimed that the local associations should have been consulted. The Government had failed! to give adequate pensions, and yet tho soldiers turned round and gave the Government the interest on the fund The soldiers as a body had a dfuty .to dependants of soldiers. There was ample scope for spending the money in the interests of returned soldiers. Pensions of widows could bo made up in coses of necessity, and tho children of dead soldiers could be helped, and given a fair chance in life. - The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilan who said that if money was required ’for the Navy, every person should be taxed as a civilian. He considered the.money should be handed over to the • E.S.A: and invested! wisely. Mr R B. Bell: What is the recommendation that Mr. Sievwright means in his motion? This association cannot traverse a decision of the N.Z.R.S.A. Mr. Hall condemned the action of the N.Z.R.S.A. in devoting the interest to tho Navy. The funds should bo used only io assist returned soldiers and their wives and families However, ho thought' 1 that Mr. Sievwright’s resolution was wrong, and therefore moved:— "That canteen funds and interest on the same should be devoted solely to the purpose for which the fund had been set up—namely, for the relief of soldiers or their dependants, who through no fault of their own became indigent or in distressed circumstances; and that (he resolution bo sent forward to the Canteen Fund Board/’ The needs of the Navy, ho thought, were paramount, but "brothers’ blood should not lie offeree! up for needs wo should fill ourS °Mt ’ Perry thought the amendment was not in order. The N.Z.R.S.A. could not bo over-ruled There was then some discussion, members wishing to know why tliry were not allowed to express their views Mr. Perry: Nothing can be done regarding the fund till next year. ’ Mr. Cummings: Everywhere T’vo been, soldiers were all against the allocation of the funds. General Russell said ho was against it Mr. Bell: That is incorrect, ns the general’s speeches at Feilding and Auckland show.

Air. Cummings said' the money in question could he put ont at 8 per cent. The soldiers wished to hare the interest year by year, to keep those who needed help. It was absurd that soldiers had to wait for twelve months. until, there was another conference. "It’s not what vou want yourself,” ho said, "its the Than who is up against it. who needs help. There are men on the land Who need the money A voice; What about a man who can t get a bit of land? Air. Cummings contended that the soldiers should have the entire handling of tho canteen funds. Air. Bell moved as an amendment: "That this meeting of the W.R.S.A. expresses its gratification at the spirit underlying the action of the N.Z.R.S.A. annual conference in regard to canteen funds, and recommends the N.Z.R.S.A. to take early steps towards securing _ a higher rate of interest on the capital involved.” ; “Nonsense!” Air. Al'Kenzie considered that it was nonsense to imagine that the interest on the canteen funds would help the Empire. If the Navy was to be maintained such work could be left in the hands of those who had carried on propaganda in the past. Air. Bell expressed regret at wild statement’s that had been made during the evening. „ Air. Sievwright: I see the old gang is well represented. He was sharply called to order, and there were cries of "Side-stepping.’ Air. Bell contended that statements had been made to appeal to the unthinking ones. A voice: Is that a way of showing your contempt? Air. Bell further said that the New Zealand Association did not wish the capital to be devoted to the Navy they gave only the interest, for a small ’lumber of years. He wag sure that there was no jingoistic intent. Mr. D. Smith seconded Air. Bell’s amendment, and said that any shafts levelled against the disposition of the capital fell wide of the mark. The only point at issue was how the interest should be expended. He considered that the sum should be devoted to naval defence. Air. Cummings: If we assist our dependants, we will be showing the Government how earnest we are. If we give the money to the Navy, and then ask for assistance, the Government could say: "Well, you gave .£BOOO to the Navy.” Mr. Bell's amendment was lost. Air. Seymour then moved: "That in view of the forthcoming Disarmament Conference, it be a recommendation to the N.Z.R.S.A. to suspend operations pending the results of President Harding’s conference.” This was seconded. Aft-. Sievwright 'and 'Mfr. Al'Kenzie opposed the amendment, and Mr. Bell .supported it , calling the other side's action "a dastardly attack.” There was a breeze between Mr. Bell nnd Air. Sievwright at this stage, and later between Mr. Bell and Mr. Al'Kenzie as to the uee of the words, "dastardly attack.”

Air Bell objected io Air. Sievwright referring to newspaper advertising in connection with the naval scheme. Such propaganda was not intended, and not one penny of the money would be spent thus. The outcry about "robbing the soldier” was nonsensical. If soldiers showed the country a broad outlook, it might cause the country to do its beat for the soldiers. A voice.- Alight! Mr. Hall: "Why not, if the fund will be needed in twenty years, take steps to consolidate the money?” He added that tho annual interest on the capital would give necessai-y assistance to needy cases. (Applause.) It was then moved that the motion bo put. In reply, Mr. Sievwright said that the opposition to tho motion was clearly side-stepping. What were the altruistic motives? If 100 families could bo relieved, then a great deal of good would bo done. Tho parting of the ways hud come. "Give them a yard, and they’ll take a mile,” he said. The amendment was lost, and the motion was carried, amid applause.