GRANTS FOR CLOTHING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1919, Page 3

GRANTS FOR CLOTHING.

TO RETURNED SOLDIERS. There appears to have been a good deal of misconception in respect to the grant made by the War llelif Association to returned soldiers as a clothing allowance. At the meeting held at Stratford yesterday Mr. Kirkwood stated that the allowance was not made as a right, and no returned soldier should apply for it unless he actually needed it. It was assumed by the committee that if an application was put in the grant was needed, and for that reason it wa9 always made. Mr. Stevenson said that that was not the practice. It had been given out by the Manaia committee that every soldier had a right to the grant. Since the last meeting 23 applications of this kind had been granted, and in one case the grant was made to a man of considerable means. Mr. Mills said that over £BOO had been granted by one committee in a short period for clothing. There was no aoubt that the soldiers were now looking upon the grant as a right, and it was a question as to whether it was going to toko too much of their funds. Mr. Washer held the view that the grant should be general, even if they had to reduce it to £3. Mr. Mills: It has been the policy of this association that every man should get a share. Mr. Crump said that, at the outside, there were 12,000 men still to return, and Taranaki's share would bo about one-twentieth. If they had to make a grant of £5 in each case it would be within their finances. It was not a matter for alarm, but there was reason in Mr. Mills' view. It was decided that it be a recommendation to local committees not to make a grant for clothing to men who applied twelve months after their discharge tin less there were special circumstances. It was also laid down that the grant, should only be made in cases of necessity, and that orders, not cash, should he given.