WAR FUNDS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1926, Page 4

WAR FUNDS

F UTUBE ADMINISTRATION

IMPORTANT CONFEREXCE. WELLINGTON, June S. An important conference of representatives of various bodies concerned in the administration of Patriotic and War Funds, convened by the Minister in charge of War Funds, commenced its sittings at Parliament Buildings to-day. Delegates were present from all part of the Dominion. The principal object of the conference was to decide questions relating to the centralisation or amalgamation of various fours, and uniform distribution of moneys for relief purposes. The conference' was opened by the Minister, the Hon W. Downie Stewart, who briefly welcomed the delegates. It was ten years, he said, since a conference of a similar nature had been held. 'Clio problems discussed .at that conference were of a much more intricate and difficult nature than those which presented themselves nowadays. Fortunately most of the present-day problem's were more limited, and simple in nature. Air Stewart said he wished to make it clear at the outset that there could he no suggestion that the Government was seeking to control the conference or its decisions. For that reason he did not propose to he present throughout the proceedings, hut would withdraw at the conclusion of this address. Departmental officers would bo present, however, to furnish information,

or to assist the conference in arriving at satisfactory conclusions. -The main questions which had given rise to -he calling of Iho conference had been very freely disccssod by the various organisations. Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Minister said lie deeplv appreciated the great amount of work which hid been done by the various societies towards assisting in the administration of the important funds for the benefit of returned soldiers. The work was done unostentatiously, and very efficiently, bj people who had had long experience in the administration of the moneys, and the Government looked to them for guidance laud assistance in solving problems arising from time to time. Tt was felt that it would he of advantage to the trustees of the various funds throughout the Dominion, aid also to the returned soldiers, who vero the beneficiaries, if the whole presentposition of war funds was examined, as well as their adequacy for meeting the needs of the beneficiaries, and the possibility of obtaining greater and greater unformity in the administration cf the funds. EAR MARKED MONEYS. The question undoutedly would arise of earmarking part of the funds for specific purposes—scholarships. VoteAiiis’ Homes, etc. Tt was obvious that the general feeling of the patriotic societies wins that there should be no wholesale centralisation of the funds. At the same time, he thought it was true to say that it had been shown that in districts where small societies were functioning, it v.fis desirable to reduce the cost of administration by amalgamation. Amalgamation had been going on automatically in the last ten years. There had been ti reduction in the. number of -societies from 200 to about DO. Experience had demonstrated, therefore, I hat centralisation was advisable. The Wellington Society more than i-ii,\ other had felt the need for this question to be discussed, for nearly hall of the active incorporated societies were within the Wellington district. far as the Government is concerned,” lie said, “I want to remove any suggestion. that we are trying to force the question at all. We want to ascertain your views and it cannot be suggested that any of the powers conferred by legislation have been used for Ho purpose of forcing the hands of any individual society.” Referring to the question of uniformity in the administration of relief, Mr Stewart said that anomalies had been shown to exist, and ii was decided, so fir as possible, to make more effective provision whereby the wealthier societies would go to the assistance of I lie poorer societies. An expression ot opinion by the conference as to whether the time was ripe for the allocation of moneys for Veterans' Homes would he of great value. “NO NIGGER IN THE WOOD-PILE” He had noticed -newspaper and other implications t hat perhaps there vas some motive behind the conference in the mind of tho Government—that there was a nigger in the wood-pile. He assured the conference, liowiVer, that was not the case. The suggestion that the Government was attempting to unload its responsibilities on to the Patriotic Societes Was toialll.v unwarranted. Figures showed what the. Government had done to assist returned men, and he did not think there could he any suggestion that tho Government had been seeking to shirk

its responsibilities in the matter. Government expenditure on war pensions

up till March 31st Inst showed that a total of £18.500,000 had so far been spent in repatriating ex-soldiers and restoring them to civil life. This included over £12,300,000 in war pensions, £5,750,000 on war gratuities, nearly £2,000.000 upon educational Gaining, £2,500,000 upon repatriation. £25,750,000 upon soldier settlement and advances for the purchase of land, etc., £3,250,000 upon the purchase of Native land for settlement. In addition there was the expenditure upon mar graves, overseas cemeteries, etc These figures showed that the Government had tried to do its duty to icturned soldiers. DOWN TO BUSINESS.

After the Minister had retired, the conference proceeded with its business. Sir John Luke, JJ.P., was elected to the chair. The principle of one society, one vote, was decided upon. Discussing tho subject of finance, the chairman said that unless something definite was decided, some of the smaller societies would be forced out of existence. He believed there was a feeling (.against nationalisation of the funds, and ho hoped the conference would ensure that in cases where the existence of smaller societies was threatened, they should receive relief from the National AY nr Funds Council. The time was not ripe for rationalisation, and the people were dead against it, but ho believed that it would soon come about.

Air L. O. H. Tripp said that the Advisory Board was unanimously opposed to the pooling of funds, and could not see that there was any object to he gained thereby. There was enough money in sight at present to keep all the societies -going for seven or eight years. They were of opinion, however, that nationalisation should take place at some time in the future. He moved that the question of nationalisation of funds should he postponed. Discussing the question of how long moneys would be required, he said claims were being made to-day by men who served in the Boer War. 23 years after that campaign. Lately a Crimean veteran 87 years of age had applied for a pension, and had been granted £1 per week. It could he seen, therefore, that claims arising out of the Great War would be received for very many years. He would not like to see a limit set to the period of ihe administration of the funds, and he did not want delegates to - go away with' the idea that funds should last only fifteen years.

Mr W. Perry, representing the S.Z.

JR..S.A.; Bops the motion contemplate tluit the richer societies should help the poorer? The chairman said that at a later stage of the proceedings a motion would, be introduced with the object of ■ putting tbe responsibility upon the i ■ War Funds Council for coming to tire j assisthnee of the smaller societies. | After further discussion the motion I was carried. j