HELPING RETURNED MEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1938, Page 8

HELPING RETURNED MEN

POLICY OF PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. MORE LOANS SUGGESTED. "In view of the Government's national health insurance proposals, I think the Claims Board should seriously consider using more of its funds in making loans to returned soldiers to start on their own as we did generously—perhaps too generously —in the early stages." observed the president, Mr D. McGregor, at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Patriotic Association. Mr McGregor recalled that some three or four years ago a resolution was passed recommending the board to discontinue the granting of loans except where urgently needed. As a result of that policy it had been said that the association had developed into a “glorified charitable aid society.” The Government’s health insurance proposals might have some bearing on the position. They did not want returned men approaching charitable aid organisations for relief and the funds of the association should relieve them of the necessity of doing so. After referring to the association’s cash credit balance in the bank, Mr J. H. Irving said it would be far better to make loans to returned men who could repaj’ them than to keep the money in the bank earning a low rate of interest. The treasurer, Mr H. M. Boddington, said the board had never kept strictly to the resolution regarding the granting of loans to returned men. All cases had been treated on their merits. Other members agreed that loans could now be made- more freely.