WAR FUNDS

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 169, 17 July 1919, Page 7

WAR FUNDS

AND TEEEt DISPOSAL. SUGGESTIONS BY SOLDIERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association has issued a statement on the subject of war funds, in which it states that some months ago the executive of the association began to investigate the present situation in reference to funds and their ultimate disposal. From information available it appeared that a sum-in the region of £1,700,000 remained unexpended from funds collected - for war purposes. The executive has decided to demand the immediate appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the whole question of war funds, and has notified the Minister accordingly. It recommends that the commission consist of five members, comprising a stipendiary magistrate as chairman and a representative each from the Returned Soldiers' Association, the War Fund Council, Patriotic Societies' Advisory Board, and the Red Cross. The order of reference of the commission should be the broadest possible, and the recommendations should immediately be laid before the Department.

The investigation should include: (1) The raising of public funds for war purposes and their administration, with particular reference to the purposes for which they have" been raised, and economy in their administration; (2) the best uses to which the remaining funds should be devoted, with particular reference to the liquidation of assets and to the most effective means of administration for any war work which maystill be necessary; (3) the framing of recommendations in reference to providing in the case of a future war for needs which in this case war funds have been raised to meet.