PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 60, 11 March 1915, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

QUESTION OF CONSOIJDATXON.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON,

A party of Auckland representatives: left for Wellington,by to-day's express to ; attend a conference of delegates from' the committees which are administering the war. relief funds throughout the Dominion. The conference 'takes place at: Government House to-morrow, and his ! "Excellency the Governor will preside. It; is hoped that the discussion will lead to an effective method of co-operation be-! tween the committees in various parts, of New Zealand. One suggestion for consideration is that all the patriotic funds should be placed under the control of a central authority,: but some of the Auckland-delegates have, expressed disapproval, pointing out that the Auckland Patriotic League has nearly £40,000 still in hand, and that all of it will probably be needed for the relief of distress during the coming winter. At a special meeting of the Belgian Fund Committee yesterday afternoon it was agreed that it would be inadvisable to merge the Auckland Belgian Relief Fund with any-general fund for the relief of other nations, and a resolution was carried deciding to urge the Government to contribute £20,000 per month for the relief of the Belgians .and to subsidise private contributions on the £ for £ basis. The Acting-Consul (Mr. Robt. Burns) pointed out in the course of the discussion that the committee now had £3,000 in hand. He did not think that amount would be affected by the Government's introduction of a new policy. Mr. Burns said that he could see no objection to the suggestion that all future sums should be forwarded through the High Commissioner, provided it was made clear tbat the money was intended for the Belgians. The delegates tfD the conference from Auckland are as follows: The Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr), With Messrs. George Elliot and Wesley Spragg, for the Patriotic League; the Acting-Consul for Belgium (Mr. Robt. Burns), with Mrs. Burns and Mr. E. Anderson, for the .Belgian Fund Committee; and the Hon. George Fowlds, with Mrs. Smith (Lady Corps Superintendent), for the St. John Ambulance.