The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1915. THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY’S EFFORT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 70, 22 July 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1915. THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY’S EFFORT.

11l another column of this issue there appears a letter from a resident, who, under a pen name, asks a pertinent question regarding the monies now being raised by the Scottish Society with such indefatigable energy. Our correspondent states he lias been led to believe that the Scottish Society is working to establish a fund of its own tor the benefit of the Sick and Wounded Soldiers. By this, of course, he means a separate fund for the good purpose named, hut administered from within the Scottish Society, as an independent fund. Though our correspondent is not by any means alone just now in the impression he has gained, judging by inquiries made, we should hardly think the Society would lor a moment seriously consider such an unworkable or unbusinesslike pro-, posal. Certainly there may be some well-intentioned, but rashly impetuous persons who have been dazzled with 1 the fine idea of a separate administration, but to suppose that more than one fund for thi lS purpose can possibly exist in any one particular district, especially when the money so raised is I raised by various devices and appeals from the same public, i. s simply absurd. No body of Scots, the admittedly shrewd men of commerce and finance. could ever see it otherwise. Inquiry regarding the exact position was made of the worthy Secretary, Mr .). Petrie, to-day, but he was unable to clear up the matter further than to say that at a recent meeting of the Society some suggestion for a separate fund had been made, but that the matter was not proceeded with, it being decided to leave the question in abeyance until after 'the function which was to have taken place last Tuesday. The idea, so far as we can gather, is that the Society wants some special representation ou whatever Committee administers the fund now being raised, and that is not unreasonable and might bo easily arranged. Hut if we are to have an independent Scottish Kund. why not half a- dozen others set going by equally loyal and equally enthusiastic people? There are a thousand reasons against the multiplying of these lunds, and so powerful arc these reasons that instead of ex-

isting local funds being locally administered there is every likelihood that the wisdom will be seen of pooling tin whole of i he distric t funds and making a Dominion Sick and Wounded Sol diors’ Fund for ihe whole oi New

Zealand. Tn the interests of the good work they have undertaken we hoive that a straight-out pronouncement as to the Scottish Society's intentions will he made before the function of next Tuesday takes place, so that those people who quite sanely and llunighfulJy take up the standpoint of the good Caledonian whose letter appears elsewhere*, may have their minds set at rest. It would he a pity for any misunderstanding to mar the present fine effort, and therefore the more quickly the matter in doubt is clcaiw. up the better. At time of writing we were tillable to get into communication with the President, hut an early expression ol his views may be helpful.