THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1915 HELP FOR THE WOUNDED.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 86, 22 September 1915, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times

PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1915 HELP FOR THE WOUNDED.

The Official Organ of : The Franklin County Council. The Pukekohe Borough Council. The Tuakau Town Board. The Karaka Soad Board. The Pokeno Road Board. The Wairoa Koad Board. The Papakura Town Board. Thfr Waikato River Board. The Mfreer Town Board. Etc., etc. .'

" We nothing extenuate, nor set down auoht in malice

| The proposal to nationalise the money that has been contributed to the patriotic funds seems to bj thoroughly commendable for many reasons, the first of which is that in these matters it is always preferable to have one controlling body. There should also be every care taken to ensure that the money will be devoted to its proper objects, and that there shall be no delay in applying it where it is needed. The public have been splendidly liberal, but they have not subscribed merely tu create a fund, but to provide for the wants of those who have Wen fighting for us so bravely and so well. If possible, also, there should be an earnest attempt made • to use the fund not so much for payment of doles or pensions, but to provide the wounded with work that thev may be capable of doing. A man can do but little with his individual pension, and in some cases he is inclined to drift, but occupation would secure him against temptation. It ought to be possible to secure suitable blocks of land, upon which all who chose to do so could exert their energies in work of winch they might be capable. We must not only do our utmost to help these broken warriors to start life afresh, but must do it in Buch a way as will preserve their selfrespect, and enable them to feel that they still have fair prospects in life. Recent cable news shows that the Victorian Government is providing a suhsidy of £20,000 to assist the Friendly Societies in reinsuring members who have gone to the front. This is very proper recognition of the work that is being done by the Societies, and it is to be hoped that the example will be generally followed. In New Zealand some of the Friendly Society leaders are opposed to State subsidy or subventi n, because they have a wholesome fear of State interference in thingß they can manage much better themselves, but there seems no reason why the State should not assist, these Societies under conditions which would cilectivcly guard against State interference with the management or control. If this could be dune, then the Societies could very largely extend their snipe, an I might even iniliido in tlu' benefits something in the nature of life assurance, pus sibly also giving a surrender value to membership.