The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1913. RELIEF PROPOSALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1913. RELIEF PROPOSALS.

In another column "the Mayor of Ilawei'a -makes some thoughtful suggestions in connection with the relief of the depen-dents-of the brave men who are fighting our battles in Europe, and also for the care of the maimed and wounded. 'Mr. Dixon believes that a central fund will not .be acceptable to the four diief cities, and says that if it were such .in organisation would prove unwieldly and possfbly cause delay in attending to urgent cases With this opinion we are in accord. A central hoard would never woifc. It would necessarily he out of touch with local conditions, and could, no more successfully administer the funds than could a central authority administer tho hospital and charitable aid affairs of the whole dominion. There is, however, room for more unity and co-ordination titan exists at present. Take our own province as an example. There are committees in every town and district, and dozens of funds, with much overlapping. Could not one central authority be established in Taranaki composed of representatives of the committees of each district? Mr. Dixon, in his letter, advocates the holding of a conference of representatives to discuss such a question. The suggestion should be acted upon, and a conference held as quickly as possible. He mentions one subject that could profitably be discussed: that is the insuring of all N juninsured men that are accepted for service from Taranaki. This is a matter which, in point of fact, has baft, engaging the attention of tlie New Plymouth Patriotic Committee for some time, and, as a result of the investigations and deliberations of a sub-commit-tee set up for the a scheme lias been propounded that is to be placed before the general committee at its next meeting. ■ One of its recommendations, in anticipate its .findings, is that the cooperation of the whole province should lie invited, and an effort mode to make ji a. truly provincial scheme. The insurance of our men is a business-like proceeding and sound in principle. Just whether it is possible to pay ihe ordinary premiums as well ns the war risk (an additional 5 per cent.) depends upon the extent of the funds available, but the community should he prepared to pay at least the wir risk, not only 'hecr.u-'c of it being a wise business precaution, transferring, as it were, the community's liability and responsibility In the insurance companies, but because if a man is prepared to risk his life in the community's interests the community should be prepared to at least bear ihe cost of the additional premium demanded 011 account of the risk he tels'es. There is n good deal of money in tho hands of the various 1 nairiotie. committees which could, form

the basis of a, comprehensive insurance fund, and more, we feel sure, will he vadilv subscribed when the object is elearly placed before the .public. l»ut to ensure success in the widest sense the scheme should he made to embrace all uninsured men of the province who go to IV front. It is not a. scheme for any one, district to embark . irpon hut for all districts within the provincial boundaries. The various committees emthl still continue the good work they are doing in raising funds, but the .representatives from each could form an executive to deal with the bigger

question of insurance and perhaps formulate comprehensive proposals for tne relief of the wounded wlieu 11 icy reach here. There are difficulties in the wav, of course, but the; can be overcome, and wo only trust the committees will see the wisdom of acting together and adopting the suggestions so timely put forth tby Haweiu's Mayor.