County Patriotic Fund.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 1 June 1918, Page 3

County Patriotic Fund.

DISPOSAL OF FUNDS

At Wednesday's meeting of the Horowhenua Patriotic Association a discussion took place 011 the policy of the Association in regard to the disposal of its funds following 011 the following statement by the Chairman (Mr Blcnkhorn) on the subject: The aim of the Management Committee is to raise a fund strong enough to meet, all reasonable demands which may be made on it and which will serve that purpose long after the war is oVer. To administer that Fund in the best interests of the soldiers drawn from this district and also of the country and to distribute the fund fairly and equitably with due regard to post was calls. Its present policy is therefore to augment its funds by all legitimate means and to leave the granting of temporary assistance to the local Patriotic; Societies and to the Wellington Association, dealing only 'with those necessitous or deserving eases which it cannot fairly pass on to such others, thus hoping to place itself in such a position that it may be of material assistance in furthering the work of the repatriation, in helping those from this County who as the result of their military service are liandicappcd in the exacting competition Of civilian life or who, having resumed their ordinary avocation are overtaken present to raise the means of relief and in future to disburse the same fairly and wisely. And I venture to think that this policy is justified when one considers that our funds are as yet comparatively small and that the support which is now extended to patriotic efforts will lose its stimulus when the war ceases, and that as yet but a very small proportion 'of our men have returned and that it is undoubtedly 111 the best interest of the returned men that every inducement and assistance should be given them to again resume their ordinary businesses or to take up some calling which will help them to again assist the country and retain thenown self-respect and independence. Mr Andrew referred to the difference in the amounts collected by the various contributing bodies and jpointed out that this was largely due to efforts for othei objects interfering with the County Fund. He suggested that something might be done to centre the efforts 011 the Association's work. Mr Blenkliorn said the Association was now running smoothly and they must now devote all their energies to increasing the amount of their fund, which seemed like a drop in the bucket to what tiie need would be when t hemen came home. They hod to remember that when the war was over it would be much harder to collect money than it was to-day. Referring to Mr s suggestion about curtailing the activities of other fund-raising efforts, the Chairman said he did not think they could do that as these splendid organisations must have support. All they could do was to keep going after the numev they wanted. It was not an easy task, but they should remember that it was not for themselves but for the boys-who were fighting for them. "Mr T. G. Vincent asked now much had been sent, out of this district, to the Wellington Association and how much had been received in return. The Chairman said it was a very difficult question to answer. About. £8000 had been sent and they had found that every application thev had made had been couretously met and they had 110 complaint to make about the treatment received from v\ eiimgtojir B. R. Gardener pointed out hat, this district had a representative on the Wellington War Relief Society. Referring to the question repeatedly asked, what was being done with the money, the speaker said it was not. sufficiently known that a great deal Continued on page 4.