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Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1917, Page 2

At tho meeting of the Patriotic Society on Tuesday afternoon a pleasing report was given in regard to the more generous afcbitudo of the various Government departments towards the needs and necessities of tho returned men. This is very gratifying, for the country has long recognised, and certainly desires that the right tiling should he done lor the men who went forth to war at the call for the Empire’s defence At the present stage, of course, the men returning are necessarily those who have suffered that those remaining behind might enjoy peace and security. It will ill become the people if they were to begrude anything hut generous treatment to those who having done their hit, return sick and wounded to their people. At tho outset there was a certain stiffness on the part of the authorities in dealing with all such cases. Public opinion expressed in various ways, and particularly through tlm patriotic societies has helped to break down the barrier of what appeared to be indifference-, and now the men are receiving much improve, Pattention. There aro still eases in mind where grievous-wrong has been done to applicants for pensions and other relief, nnd we aro hopeful such cases will bo met by an amendment to the law. Tho Minister is not disposed to authorise a right of appeal, but ho might wr put the section of the net into force whereby local advisory committees of responsible citizens could advise the Pensions Board in regard to specific eases. Till this is done there is the danger that all cases might not lie fully weighed, and for that reason wrong might' be done.

Tub interposition of the Westland A & P Association in regard to the granting of an area' near Ross for a lime kiln to a public company, as before the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, had its amusing side. Tho letter urged that the deposit should be created an endowment for the Association, and be utilised solely for the benefit of the farmers. To this request was added the admission that the Association had not acted to the best effect in the handling of the endowment already in its keeping. Thero seems 'to be a wrong impression current as to the Ross proposition. As a matter of fact it i.s open for the farmers to take complete control of the venture by subscribing for the shares and certain business men who had intended assisting the project financially are standing out to give tho farmers the first right to tho shares. Tho very experience of the Koitprangi proposition which the Assooia 1-ion controlled was tho reason why others welcomed the project at Ross under ft public company. But what the farmers want is cheap lime, and,this tho promoters of the company are out to supply. The quality i.s said to lie first class, and the price owing to the ready access and proximity to the railway, should he quite satisfactory. Ordinarily a company should be able to give the best, all round ■ administration, and as in this instance the directorate will consist mainly of settlers from one end of the district to the other, if the farmers will take up the shares there should not he any fear as to the utility of the concern as* a practical means to supply cheap limo.