PATRIOTIC FUNDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10605, 2 June 1920, Page 5

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

A TRUST FOR SOLDIERS

IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY N.Z.R.S.A.

The disposition of funds in "the hands of patriotic societies is . occasioning the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association some concern, and at yesterday's deliberations of the delegates in conference, Mr R. J. ¥. Aldrich (Wellington) moved:— "That this conference is of opinion ■that the time has arrived when the various patriotic societies should caimar/k a * portion of their funds for permanently totally and permanently partially disabled soldiers," and for men who are breaking down from time to time as a s-esult of their military service. "_ •'That this conference is of opinion that the practice of paying cash grants to permanently disabled # soldiers, according' to the schedule of pension, is inadvisable, and urges that each case be treated on its merits, having due regard to tho economic loss of the soldier."

In support of the resolutions, Mr Aldrich said that he would be attending a conference of patriotic socioties at Falmerston North within a few days and ho would like tho support of delegates in the action ho proposed to take. The motions before them indicated what that action would be. It had come to his knowledge that certain patriotic societies were disbursing funds to soldiers in accordance with disabilities as set forth in their medical schedule. It was a serious thine: for them to- do, because men who had been discharged "fit" were now becoming unfit by reason of their war experience-. lie had it from General McGavin that the number of discharged details who were suffering from diabetes—probably . contracted while they were on service in Palestine—was alarming. These disabilities might not, show for some time after discharge, and if the m-onevs >vero disbursed thero woidd bo nothing for them, and the patriotic societies would'bo failin"- in their duty to the people who had so -liberallv subscribed the funds. In respect of the payment of cash grants to disabled soldiers, lie heKl tho opinion diat the economic disability of the soldier should be tho basis worked on. » ./.,-, Mr T. Long (To Aroha) pointed out thatf-in many cases the disability was not visible. ' . Mr D. J. B. Seymour (\\ aipawa) said that it seemed to him an impression had got abroad among patnotio societies that thev should disburse their funds as quickly as possible. Ho wondered if thev recognised that mw doing thev were breaking faith with, both the public and tho returned soldiers. . ... .li. There was no further discussion, the motions being adopted unanimously.