DISABLED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1920, Page 5

DISABLED SOLDIERS.

THE TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. , EXTENSION OF PAYMENTS. The monthly meeting of the , Taranaki War Relief Association was held at Stratford yesterday. Present: Mr. W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford) in the chair, and the following delegates: Messrs. W. A- Percival (lnglewood), CIS. Bellringer (New Plymouth), C. A. Larcombe (Patea), P. Mills (Hawera), F. Atkinson (North Taranaki), E. A. Washer (Farmers' Union), K. H. Young (R.S.A.), D. Tosland (County or Kgmont), and C. Stevenson (Manaia). In pursuance of a notice of motion, the chairman moved that benefits should be granted in cases of 40 to 20 per cent. [Usability. The secretary presented a report showing that the New Plymouth Committee estimated that there would be ten eases in their district, and the County of Egmont seven. The office records showed that there were approximately forty cases to be dealt with, including the seventeen case 9 previously mentioned. The chairman suggested that £7! should be adopted as the maximum grant in cases of under 40 per cent,, and he apportioned on a ratio that would give the men in the lowest grade, namely, 20 per cent., £2O. Replying to Mr. Percival, the secretary stated, that £14,314 had been paid to permanently disabled men under the present scheme, and another £2OOC would be paid after it had been approved on that day's agenda. In hit opinion the present funds of the Association could be assessed at £22,000. The chairman agreed to amend the motion to the effect that the scheme be carried out provided sufficient funds were available. Mi*. \ oung said the idea of makinp provision for men with minor injuries was admirable, hut he would rather see greater provision made for permanently disabled men. A2oto 40 per "cent disability was very slight compared with the larger injuries, and he would prefer not to see the scheme adopted yet. He moved the following amendment: "That consideration of the resolution he deferred until a further payment lias been made to permanently disabled men and that after such payment has been made, the Association consider the proposal to pay on 20 to 40 per cent, disability." The amendment failed to secure a seconder and the chapman's motion was carried. ORPHAN CHILDREN. In pursuance to notice previously given, the chairman moved that the executive be authorised ,to pay out on all cases of orphans and fatherless children immediately. He said that the executive would be guided entirely by circumstances. They might find in some cases that the children are not provided for at all, and it was those cases which they wanted to be able to assist. In reply to Messrs. Stevenson and Atkinson, the chairman he was unable to give any estimate of the coat of the scheme. Until he knew the number of cases likely to come up anc the circumstances of the cases, it wa? impossible to express any opinion of what the scheme would cost. Messrs. Percival and Bellringer expressed the opinion that the motion phoiid be held over until some information was obtained as to the probable number of cases, and the financial, position of the Association reviewed. The chairman was given permission to hold over his motion. The secretary tabled a report stating lhat the County of Egmont Committee had advised that two cases were known by it, and the New Plymouth Committee advised that there were seven coses of fatherless children known to the committee. GENERAL. A lengthy letter was received rrora the Internal Affairs Department asking for details of the Association's scheme for providing for disabled men. The chairman said that the Department was evidently under the. impression that the Association was not. spending its money wisely. He hail inutrueted the secretary to reply setting forth the Association's scheme and explaining the position fully. The chairman reported on the business done at the meeting of the Advisory Board held in Wellington on March 3. He said that the Board had decided in favor of pooling all funos, but he had refrained from voting, having explained to the Board that the Taranaki Association could not come into such a scheme for the reason that it had already started a scheme of its own for assisting permanently disabled soldiers.