FINANCIAL AID BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17094, 25 February 1919, Page 5

FINANCIAL AID BOARD.

DECREASE OF BUSINESS.

COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED.

ALLEGATIONS "GROUNDLESS."

[BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Monday.

The progress report of the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board states that its operations are steadily declining as the result of the cessation of hostilities. Only 100 new applications were received during January, but the board's verification section bad a rather busy month.

The cases of grants completed and approved during the month totalled 972, representing an annual expenditure of £19,694, inciudmc 235 additional grants, amounting to £3446. Warrants issued during the month was 4287, for a total of £11.209 for the following purposes Rent £4765, interest £1952, instalments £134, rates £394, life insurance £3232, fire insurance £172, lodge fees £39, national provident fund £44, confinements and surgical expenses £337, miscellaneous £135. There has been an increase in disbursements for confinements and surgical operations. The board has been very liberal in its treatment of these applications, not a single case having been refused. .... The report mentions that investigation of a number of published complaints against tHe board's administration proved that the charges were groundless. Many letters have been received from soldiers and members of soldiers' families expressing appreciation of the board 3 help.