DISABLED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1920, Page 5

DISABLED SOLDIERS.

PROVISION FOR THE FUTURE. FROM PATRIOTIC FUNDS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Returned Soldiers' Association conference to-day passed the following resolutions:-*, "That fiijs conference is of opinion that the time lias arrived when the various Patriotic Societies should earmark a portion of their funds for permanently totally and permanently partially disabled soldiers, and for men who are breaking down from time to time as a result of .their military service." "That this conference is of opinion that the practice of paying cash grants to pernknently disabled soldiers, according to the fchedule of pensions, is inadvisable, and urges that each case be treated on its merits, having due regard to the economic loss of the soldier." 'the mover of the resolutions, Mr. R. J. F. Aldritch (Wellington), said it had Come to the notice of them all that there were patriotic societies in the Dominion which were seeking to disburse their funds immediately, and were making grants to soldiers according to the specific nature of their injuries. It was felt the practice should be stopped, for there were still many'men who required assistance, General Chaytor informed him that the number of soldiers whfc had been discharged fit after service in Palestine, and who had since been admitted to hospital suffering from diabetes, was alarming. Mr. Aldritch said these men Would want assistance, and had a right to look for it in the same way as other disabled men. Mr. T. Long (Te Aroha) contended it Wn» a sound principle that grants made to soldiers by patriotic societies should be taken up as second mortgages. The Auckland Association examined each man's ease very carefully, and had not "fiddled" away fluids in the way that some southern associations had done. Mr. D. J. B. Seymour said there seemed to he an impression amongst some patriotic societies that because they had got a crtain amount of money they had I to get rid of It in the early days. People subscribed generously because they did not kliow the extent to which money might be wanted. Patriotic societies should be reminded that the conference did not expect them to disburse their funds, apart from the purposes • for which they were subscribed. The resolutions were carried.