PATRIOTIC FUNDS AND REPATRIATION LOANS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1991, 17 June 1919, Page 2

PATRIOTIC FUNDS AND REPATRIATION LOANS.

SPEAKING in Auckland recently, the Hon. G. W. Russell said there

should he co-ordination between Patriotic Societies and Repatriation Committees in respect to grants and loans to returned soldiers. It may be pointed out that the public of this Dominion contributed upwards of three million pounds for sick and wounded soldiers and their dependants. This sum is held in trust for the soldiers by Patriotic Societies, Apart from this, Repatriation Committees have been set up in most centres to deal with applications for loans from returned soldiers, and to financially assist them in other ways. The money for repatriation purposes is provided by the State. Now, the point we desire to stress is that there is a tendency on the part of certain Patriotic Societies to hord up the greater portion of their funds instead of rendering fuller assistance to returned men. This is where the Minister’s co-ordinati-on suggestion comes in. When returned men make application for loans, and before granting of same by the Repatriation Committee, the fullest investigation should be made to ascertain what assistance the Patriotic Committee can render (having regard to a safe reserve), and then the Slate should advance the balance. The Government should not allow Patriotic Societies to hord up large sums of money for an indefinite period, but should sec to it thiit every applicant draws his fair proportion- from society funds before making State advances.