The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1915. RELIEF OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 56, 6 July 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1915. RELIEF OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Some discussion is now going on as to the he.st method of dealing with the voluntary funds which are being gathered in local centres all over the Dominion for the relief of wounded soldiers and their dependants, and in many quarters the placing of such funds on a national basis is strongly advocated. There are many argu-

ments in favor of this suggestion, though, of course, it will he wise not to do anything too hastily. There would certainly be many difficulties in the way of instituting a national fund, but it is not impossible to overcome these if the country sees the wisdom of taking such a step. Of course it is only desired by every contributor that the money given shall bo administered in the most equitable way, and with the greatest economy of administration, and unless some extend-

ed or ■ central control of the smaller local funds is arranged there will always he danger of overlapping and its opposite—neglect —occurring, and ! thus hardship falling on certain ones. 1 It lias been very properly pointed out that some wealthy districts may have' contributed much greater sums than others less fortunate or less generously disposed, and yet on the latter places might fall the burden of assisting a greater number of sick and' wounded than on those places with the larger funds. It is utterly impossible to indicate how such casualties may be distributed, and unless some basis for uniformity in the aid given is set up there will be undoubted injustice. l'he Government, will, of course, have the obvious duty of, providing for all sick, wounded or disabled men, or their dependants, in the first place, and that duty must be inilv met, but it is in the admin-' istration of the privately-contributed sums that the trouble will arise unless the greatest care* be taken. Ihe other day tit Wellington, .Mr C. I J . Skerrett, the well-known barrister, said “Liu* reasons lor the existence of a ntional organisation were the

necessity for uniformity ol adminis-

tration, and uniformity in the rate or scale of relief. Some districts might coniine themselves in those who went from their own districts,

while others might administer it as from the domicile of the soldier at the time of enlistment. That would mean difficulties. Some districts, again, might pay one rate, and some another. Hut the, great reason tor a National Fund was the inequality of contributions from different districts. The richer districts would, of course, subscribe more than the poorer dis-1 tritls. Then again there were more recruits from some districts. They would agree that equitable distribution should be made, so that no soldier or his dependents would he without relief.” A conference is to be held in Wellington this month to discuss the whole question, and in the meantime local Patriotic Committees might give the matter some thought and attention.