WAR RELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1922, Page 7

WAR RELIEF.

THE TARANAKI FUNDS QUESTION OF RESERVATION. FAITH WITH THE MEN. The attitude of the Government in regard to the method of disposal of the Taranaki War Relief Association funds was the subject of a lengthy discussion at a meeting of the association held on Wednesday. The chairman (Mr. W. P. Kirkwood) reported verbally regarding an interview with the Minister of Internal Affairs on the association’s scheme of assistance to permanently disabled soldiers. Mr. Kirkwood recalled that at the last meeting of the association he was empowered to visit Wellington and ascertain the department’s attitude, especially in reference as to who should pay the costs of a case stated for the Supreme Court.

Mr. Kirkwood aaid he interviewed the officer in charge of war funds, who made it very plain that he was not sympathetic towards the association. Later he interviewed the Minister of Internal Affairs, and brought up the matter of stating a case for the Supreme Court. The Minister said there was only ono course in regard to costs—the Supreme Court would decide on the completion of the hearing who should pay the costs. He (the chairman) could not shake the Minister in his position that funds should be conserved for twenty or twenty-five years. He pointed out that if the cost of administration continued as at present it would mean that £160,000 would be spent from which the soldiers would receive no benefit whatever. THE ISHNISTER FIRM. Personally, he had no doubt that the Minister’s attitude was brought about by intervention by the Wellington and Auckland Associations. He explained to the Minister that the scheme was not a wild-cat one, but had been fully considered. The Minister seemed to think that the association made grants without any regard to the soldier’s financial circumstances—that a soldier worth £20,000 would receive the same as a soldier who had nothing. He was quite sure that those who opposed the Taranaki Association’s scheme were not aware of its provisions and the method of working. At a later stage he suggested that the Minister might withdraw his opposition if the association undertook to reserve a third of its funds, and permit the association to pay out the other two-thirds under the P.D.S. scheme. The sugestion was made merely as a feeler, and it now remained for the association to do something. It was represented to the Minister that it was unfair to hold up the scheme now. In April, lf>lB, the scheme was explained to the War Funds Council, and no objection was made until June, 1921. The Minister seemed sympathetic, but also seemed to be under a promise to somebody not to shift his position.

Mr. Stevenson said it looked as if the association would have to back down, and it remained for the association to take the best possible course for the soldiers in the circumstances.

Mr. Toswill thought it would be better to agree to reserve a third than to have the funds eaten up in Court costs.

The chairman said he thought the,department would accept the offer of a third. He understood that all associations had fallen in with the department’s views, except Timaru, which was standing out on a principle similar to the Taranaki Association.

Mr. Larcombe said that since last meeting he was a convert to the idea of reserving funds, and suggested that the proportion be one-half. He proceeded to affirm that the association had broken faith with soldiers outside the scheme, because the association was unable to keep a reserve of £lO,OOO, as intended, and faith had also been broken in the 20 to 40 per cent, cases under the scheme. The scheme had broken down—the association had undertaken to do for the soldiers more than the funds would permit. The chairman said it would be wroßg for statements contrary to fact, made by Mr. Larcombe, to go unchallenged. The 20 to 40 per cent, men clearly understood that they would be paid only if there were sufficient funds for the purpose. It was found that the funds were insufficient, and the men were told they would not be paid. MEN BROKEN DOWN.

Mr. Burdekin asked if the chairman was aware that a large number of men who were discharged as fit were now in hospital. The medical examination on the ship previous to demobilisation was no more than a farce. It would be wrong for the association to think that men discharged fit A from the army were fit to-day, or would ever be fit.

The chairman admitted that men discharged as fit had broken down, but he thought the number was exaggerated. There was also a percentage of men who were claiming assistance whose hardships arose from causes outside their war service. It was necessary to separate these cases from the others.

Mr. Burdekin said he had it on high authority that the majority of the soldiers now going into hospital were those who had been discharged as fit. He had always thought funds should be reserved, and was glad to see evidence of a similar feeling among members of the association. He would agree to £3OOO being reserved. The scheme had been in operation some time, and no doubt some’ soldiers had entered into engagements in view of their prospects under the scheme. He thought the N.Z.R.S.A. would not call him to account for agreeing to a reserve of '£3ooo, though he had been instructed to stand out for £5OOO. After discussion Mr. Larcombe moved that 50 per cent, of the funds be reserved He thought it would be a good bargain for the soldiers. If there was a case of hardship arising out of war service, help should he extended, adthough it did not come under the F.D.b. thought that even if the Supreme Court case cost £lOO it would be better to spend that amount than to break faith rrtth the soldiers. Many would not be able to carry on if their Z„t» were reduced by 50 or even >25 ner cent. He did not think it a was a fair thing for the association to play rigM into the hands of the Government Toswill mentioned the possibility of the Government taking the whole the funds. TO RESERVE ONE-THIRD.

Mr. Atkinson said that if the Supreme Court decision was against the association it would antagonise the Gov--mwra, and he doubted if the asso-

elation would be able to carry on. Look-1 ing at the matter from the soldiers’ point of view he thought the best course I was to agree to reserve a third.

The secretary (Mr. W. Power) said that if a third was reserved it would be necessary to take 25 per cent, off the payments to cases over 40 per cent., and the cases under 40 per cent, would have to go. -

Mr. Larcombe thought it was better to do something rather than have things held up. Mr. Power’s figures showed that if a third was reserved, soldiers who had been promised £lOO would get £67, and he thought the soldiers would be doing very well. The chairman said the association had not yet broken faith, with the soldiers and were still endeavoring to keep faith. During other discussions, Mr. Stevenson said his attitude was to give in to the Government’s demand rather than to lose the administration of the fund, when the soldiers would get little or nothing. . Mr. Larcombe amended his motion making the proportion to be reserved one-third, and, as amended, the resolution was carried. On the motion of Mr. Atkinson, it was decided that if the offer to the Government is accepted payments of 33 1,-3 per cent, be made in finalised 40 to 100 pel cent, cases. ~ ti- < . Mr. Stevenson said he would JiKe to see all cases reconsidered so that an undertaking could be given which they could be sure of carrying out. The chairman agreed with the suggestion of Mr. Atkinson that the Emergency Committee should extend help on’.v to soldiers whose hardships arose from war injuries. Everybody, more or less, said Mr. Atkinson, was suffering from the effects of the slump.