The Daily News. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1919. PERMANENTLY DISABLED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1919. PERMANENTLY DISABLED SOLDIERS.

The discussion which took place at the meeting of the Taranaki War Relief Association on Wednesday relative to allocating a fixed sum for the assistance of permanently and partially disabled soldiers, deserves serious attention. The Association is possessed of funds amounting to £49,000, exclusive of accrued interest on loans to soldiers, but it may be assumed for all practical purposes that £50,000 can be relied upon if necessary. After much debate it was decided that a first allocation of £IO,OOO be made to the permanently disabled soldiers' fund, and it was agreed that the maximum grant should be £250. It is quite evident that the delegates have whole-hearted sympathy for these disabled men, and that the general desire is to alleviate their sad lot as much as possible. At the same time there appears to be symptoms of undue haste in the direction of disposing of the money in hand bo that the Association may come to an end. Such a feeling, if it exists, does not fit in with the purposes for which the money was raised, and might lead to undesirable results. It would seem obvious that the nature of the task undertaken by the Association must inevitably extend over many years, and that the future may disclose many cases requiring liberal assistance, so that in impressing upon the delegates the need for caution, Mr Stevenson took a course that is to be commended. There are many cases to-day of men apparently fit to carry on their usual or slightly modified avocations, but who may break down altogether in the near future. There are others who will bravely struggle on for j a longer period, and yet collapse alto'gether, and *ontiog«nciea.majr arise that

will mean liberal grants being made to men who cannot be assisted by the Land Board or Eepatriation Board and yet are in sore need of help. The question arises whether the Association is adopting a right course in this policy of immediate allocation. It is admitted that every case must be considered on its merits, so that the soundest course would appear to be that which, while duly conserving the funds, enables the Association to assist all deserving cases and where needed supplement other grants made. There would appear to be good reason for the Association to cooperate with the Repatriation Committees as much as possible so as indirectly to enlarge its power of doing the utmost possible to assist the afflicted soldiers, and to assist in the cases of men who hive received, or are receiving, vocational training. The idea of fixing a maximum of aid savors of red tape, and fetters the hands of the Association when they should be free. We have no intention of reflecting on the excellent work of the Association. Our only object is to emphasise the need for caution and to give a timely reminder that years ahead will bring their demands on the funds that it will be necessary to honor. It would seem more politic to go on from month to month and year to year having a free hand to deal on its merits with every case that arises.