PATRIOTIC FEDERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1917, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FEDERATION.

SETTLING SOLDIERS ON THE LAN!*

EXHIBITION OF WAR VOm.

By Telegraph.—Prese Association. Wellington, Last Nijfct. The Advisory Board of the Patriots* War Relief Societies discussed the question of sottling soldiers on the land. Various suggestions were before the mombers, but no decision was arrived at. The Wairarapa Association urged that the Government should immediately pro-. vide improved land by compulsory j>ur« chase, if sufficient was not made avail, able voluntarily. The Canterbury Association considered the present provision for Boldier* wa»; unsatisfactory, and strongly urged the Government to initiate a comprehensive scheme for their settlement, and make adequate provision for placing such men on the land.

The Timaru Association recommended that no more land for returned soldiers should he opened up until the necessity arose, as several blocks of properties already opened had not been applied for and were still available.

A sub-committee of the Advisory. Board reported they had come to the conclusion that the problem could not be successfully handled ty the board or by .patriotic societies, and they consequently resolved to aoproach the Nation' al Efficiency Board 'with the object of requesting that board to accept the du« ties of assisting soldiers on the land and into businesses, also that in speoial cases there was a necessity for a more 1 liberal scale of financial assistance. After considerable discussion the mat' ter was referred again to the lands sub' committee of the Board. ! The punishment that falls upon de« . pendents when soldiers' pay is stopped during the period of detention for some military offence was mentioned. The Advisory Board chairman referred to the caso of a soldier who had been sentenced to two years' imprisonment \ abroad, his pay being stopped for that period. The board decided to approach the Minister of Defence with the object ' of protecting the wives and children in such cases.

An arrangement has just been completed between tlio Y.M.C.A. and the Xt'W Zealand Government under which the Association undertakes the exhibition of official war Alma taken by the British War Office and forwarded to the various Governments for exhibition. The pictures represent in grim and tragio reality the actual scenes in •which our men are fighting. One of the condition! of the arrangement come to is that th» entire net profit should be devoted to the alleviation of the hardships and *uf-> ferings entailed by the war. A comprei hensive tour has been planned by thai Y.M.O.A. It will occupy about twelve < months. The pictures will <be accomi panied by & staff of lecturers, and itl is believed the exhibition mill firing home to the' peoplo in a vivid manner the tragic conditions our men are fighting under, and arouse greater sympathy and support for the organisations which benefit tho men. PAY ANT) ALLOWANCES.

The Board considered the question soldiers' pay qnd allowances, an opinion being expressed that the whole sdienie of pay demanded attention, as the rates Imd never been generous, and the general increase in the cost of living made them obviously inadequate. Experience i had. shown that men could not allocate 4b per day from their pay'to dependents a 9 they needed more than 1« per day ' in England and France. It was suggested that the children's allowance be increased from fld t.o 1# a day. After discussion the jitatter was allowed to stand over. COMPORTS FOR WOJJNDED.

[ A letter from the Minister of Defenet stated that General Richardson wished to have the sum of £6OOO for expendituro on comforts for New Zealand sick and wounded, and the Minister asked if the board would provide this money from the sums donated by patriotio societies. He added that more money would be required for the same purpose later. The chairman said that General Blchardson was in charge of two New Hie*' land hospitals, and tnere wits reason to believe that the New Zealand division might be in the heavy fighting, agam soon, so that comforts for the man in hospital had to be prepared in advance to some extent. The board authorised the chairman to interview the Minister of Defence and to authorise the transfer of the money if the request was justified. The board added that the balance of the money provided by the societies, and now in the hands of the Governru i, sliould b» handed to the War Contingent Association in London.