The Daily News SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1921. THE CANTEEN FUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1921, Page 4

The Daily News SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1921. THE CANTEEN FUNDS.

The resolution passed by the Wellington branch of tiie Returned Soldiers’ Association on Wednesday, concerning the proposal made to the Canteens Fund Disposal Board to devote the first five years’ interest on the canteen funds to naval propaganda, indicates the feeling which exists among a large body of the returned. men that disabled soldiers and their dependents have the first claim on the fund. The principle involved is that the canteens fund was built up by the members of the expeditionary forces, therefore whatever money is available should be ear-marked for the disabled and their dependents. It may be argued that the war relief societies, the patriotic funds and the provision made by the Government for these cases are sufficient to ffieet ail reasonable requirements, but careful consideration of the facts will materially modify, and possibly negative, that view. Much of the funds contributed so generously by the public for the benefit of those suffering from the direct effect of service in defence of the Empire have been distributed. It is not our intention to. comment on the methods adopted. More to the point is it to give a well founded note of warning that large numbers of the returned men who, though suffering from serious disabilities, such as shell shock, being gassed, wounded or debilitated by the exceptionally heavy strain on their constitutions, have been battling on iu civil life, since the close of the war, as bravely and determinedly as they did when on active service. Some have broken

down, but a large number still, by exercise of indomitable pluck and will power, and at times in much suffering, continue their civil work. This they will do until they collapse,, sooner than exist, if only partially, on the generosity of the public or on the uncertain doles from the Government, which are dependent on frequent medical examination, many of which are of a peri: iory character. These men have too fine a spirit to appear as suppliants for public benevolence. They would sooner allow the supplemental pensions, to which they are justly entitled, to be reduced to zero than make a protest against the arbitrary withdrawal of temporary pensions. The day will surely come when the inevitable collapse takes place, and by that time the war relief and patriotic funds will probably have disappeared, unless steps are taken to conserve what is left. Under the circumstances it would seem that the canteen funds may appropriately be nursed to meet these cases, instead of being frittered away on naval propaganda. The Wellington U.S.A., in common with the bulk of public opinion in the Dominion, recognise and appreciate the necessity for a strong navy, but to devote to mere propaganda work money that has emanated from the men on active service seems unjust and unwarrantable. That naval defence should need a propaganda campaign is a direct slur bn the loyalty and common sense of the community, besides being entirely unnecessary. Parliament is responsible for this matter, .and what Parliament decides the people must accept, and provide the necessary funds for the purpose. In view of the Washington conference on the limitation of armaments, and of the functions of the League of Nations, there should not be the slightest need for naval propaganda. It would probably not be politic to say that the Imperial Government may safely be left to maintain Britain’s supremacy as a naval Power, but there can be no question that the adequacy of the British Navy is not a matter that depends on the distribution of printed matter. The hearts of the people are already attuned to a high pitch of fervor in all that relates to the Empire’s firk line of defence, and they should also be equally strung up as to the need for relieving all cases of disability arising out of the war—not merely those now entitled to relief, but the far more difficult cases that the future will disclose. The utilisation of the canteen funds for propaganda would be an abuse ■deserving of the utmost condemnation, and would lay the. Empire open to caustic comments by foreign Powers. The Wellington R.S.A. has taken this matter up in the right spirit. On principle, expediency and every ground their contention is logical and sound. If patriotism is at such a low ebb that it needs arousing by propaganda, it may fairly be asserted that it will fail to respond to any appeal that may be made in the future for funds for the relief of the returned men who will need generous help when they fail from lack of strength to continue their efforts 'to earn a living.