A BABY BONUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1922, Page 3

A BABY BONUS.

SUGGESTED USE OF CANTEEN FUNDS. CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. A discussion on the canteen funds at the annual conference of the Canterbury District Returned Soldiers’ Association took an unusual turn. Mr R. B. Bell, on behalf of the South Canterbury Association, moved a remit dealing with the matter, and just as it was about to be put to the vote, Mr E. B. Lloyd, on behalf of the Ashburton Association, moved an amendment asking that the interest from the fund should be used to provide/or the payment of a maternity bonus to returned soldiers. On a vote being taken, the amendment was carried by eight votes to seven, hut at the evening session the motion was rescinded and the original motion carried.

The motion moved by Mr Bell w-as as follows“ That in view of the large amount of unemployment, this District Conference requests the Canteen Funds Board to consider the advisability of loaning part of the Canteen Board’s funds to city and county councils, on the understanding that such funds be used to provide work for the unemployed men. That the canteen funds he conserved and interest allowed to accumulate till a more pressing need for their expenditure for the assistance of returned soldiers shall arisp.” The mover urged that the conference should take a long view and not be anxious to see the funds used

up. The motion was seconded by Mr A. H. M’Kane (Greymoutli). The amendment moved by Mr F. B. Lloyd was as follows: —“That the interest on the canteen funds be distributed as a maternity bonus of £5 5s per child to the wives of returned soldiers. This bonus to be made retrospective from the date of embnreation.” Mr Lloyd said the amendment hadbeen fully discussed by bis association, which had asked him to move it at the conference. He had no option in those circumstances but to move it as an amendment. Mr G. W. Lloyd (Hokitika) seconded the amendment.