PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 8

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

DISBURSING OF MONIES PRINCIPLE IN QUESTION "I would strenuously object to being told that we have to do anything. The question for disbursing money is a matter for the provincial organisation," stated Mr. F. Davis at the meeting of the New Plymouth f atriotic Committee last night when the chairman, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, mentioned that the committee had been ordered to pay a certain sum to a discharged soldier. "The regulations clearly lay down that these moneys shall be administered by the provincial council. There is no provision for any Government department ordering us to do anything," added Mr. Davis. "If this committee comes to any decision I strongly object to and will resist any practice where by a request declined by this committee is taken behind our backs to political quarters. I feel that we should resist any such practices right from the outset," he concluded . Explanation of Position. The secretary, Mr. P. E. Stainton, explained that men were being discharged from the army when they were not fit and it appeared that patriotic committees were expected to take charge of these people until such time as they could come under the provision of the Social Security Act. Mr. E. J. Carr gave an example of a soldier on home service who had been discharged while actually in the Wellington hospital. It was resolved to refer the matter to the provincial council.