AFTERMATH OF THE WAR.

Shannon News, 4 June 1929, Page 3

AFTERMATH OF THE WAR.

delicate work of patriotic ASSOCIATION. LIKELIHOOD OF INCREASED NEEDS. I

Conscientious purpose marking the efforts of the Horowhenua County Patriotic Association was indicated in remarks made by the chairman (Mr P. W. Goldsmith), in the course of his annual report, which he read to the Association last week. . *‘lt is perhaps as well to state once again, that there are still many sad cases which come before the committee in the course of a year’s work, the chairman said. “There are also cases very difficult to deal with, ana to know just what treatment should be dealt out, is quite a serious problem. Sometimes 'the secretary is Bent to different parts of the district to find from personal interviews how best help may 'be given. In any case, both the management committee and the local executive can safely say that never yet has any deserving case been turned down, and if any mistakes have " been made at all, they have been on the generous side. Possibly there, are cases which should be helped a little, but reticence and modesty prevent any application on their own behalf. The committee is, however, on the alert to find out returned men of this class, and is always, glad of information which wili help towards cairying ; out the duties for which the Association was formed and for which the funds were subscribed.” ISlubsequently, referring to unemployment, the Chairman said he heard of two cases the other day, but he

feared that in some places there was a good deal of it. - The secretary (Mr F. P. Walkley) said he thought that, if the Association found the position acute, they could get further relief, to the extent of £IOO, from the War Funds Council, commencing with a £SO grant. The chairman said that last year the bulk of the relief money distributed in this association’s district went to towns other than Levin. Foxton and Shannon were worse off last year than Levin and Otaki. There was not so much public money being expended in the Dominion now, but the country was more prosperous. Mr Keedwell said he . thought that this association was having the same experience as the Wairarapa body in regard to the-delayed effects, of war serviee on the health of some of the returned soldiers, and that more claims were coming from men who'were beginning to feel those effects. Mr W. E. Kilsby remarked that the disabilities of men whose health had suffered through the war would increase as they became older. That was one ; reason why the funds should not be centralised as was suggested a year ago.’ By adhering to the present system the association , had more direct connection with these men and could

find out more about them. If the funds were centralised in Wellington, the local Organisation would not be in touch with the returned men to the same extent.

The feeling of the meeting was evidently against centralisation. Mr H. G. Mackay, secretary of the Levin R.S.A., said that men who had , been discharged fit were now begin- ’ iiing to feel the effects of the war. - “We have men w-ho were discharged as fit,” he said, “now applying for 'pensions, and their condition is directly attributable to war service.” The Chairman said that in that case , the Government could not very well refuse to grant pensions. ■Mr R. G. Maclean: Any man who breaks down now, if he fought in the war, -should get a pension, whether the war caused it or not. I thought that that was getting nearer, but it does not seem ter be. Mr G. D. Hamilton, president of the Levin R.S.A., remarked that the last twelve months. did not show any less-

■ening of the demand on the .associa- - . tion’s funds—in fact, it was increasing. So long as this association could meet /the nee.dst *of 'the 'district, he thought that centralisation was out of the question. After the routine business had been transacted, the Chairman stated that there was no need to instruct the-com-mittee to apply to the War Funds Council for unemployment money; if' there was any to be had, they would do 80 * ' ~ Mr Mackay paid a tribute to Mr , Walkley as secretary of this association, having found him most courteous and willing. At one time there had been much talk about returned men being qualified or entitled to apply for the secretarial position, but a bet,ter man for that office than Mr Walkley could not be had; he was willing to go out of his way to assist in cases of and always gave aippli- ' cants for help a fair hearing. Mr W. W. Benfell endorsed Mr Mackay’s sentiments. In replying, Mr Walkley stated that he could only say the same in regard to Mr Mackay. The Chairman remarked that he wad pleased to see that the two associations—the Patriotic and the Eeturned Soldiers ’-rwere working together.