WAR FUNDS COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 June 1923, Page 6

WAR FUNDS COUNCIL.

EIGOTH ANNUAL MEETING. The Hon. W. Downie Ptpwart, Minister arlrainistering the War Funds Act, presided over the eighth annual meeting of the National War Funds Council, which took place at Wellington on Thursday. The position arising out of the cessation of activities of the Repatriation Department was fully considered and a policy formulated for the direction of the various war relief associations in the Dominion. Educational grants to students have been mnintained during the year, and of the 6!) bursaries allotted in 1!>19 56 have completed their courses and 11 remaining at the Otago CUedical School are in their final year, and will qualify during the current year. A commitment to cover these bursaries has been trade. Assistance was provided to patriotic societies whose liquid assets had been depleted, so as to ensure a uniform system of rplief being granted, wherever a soldier may be situated at present. ■A review of the council's investments disclosed that the whole of the funds were in a reasonably liquid state, and that they were placed advantageously, both in regard to the security of the investment and its earning capacity. Tt was stated that the service of extra comforts and recreation for soldiers in hospital and sanatoria had been well maintained by the British Red Cross and Order of St. John (Incorporated), and while, the provision had in all cases fully met the needs of the soldiers, the administration had been efficient and economical. Various legacies were received for the sick and wounded soldiers and blind soldiers' funds from public-spirited citizens, and recognition thereof had been made to the families concerned and through the Press of the Dominion. The Maori funds throughout the Dominion were being, amalgamated in the interests of the native rare, and would be administered in the future by the council through advisory boards set up in the various Maori districts. The number of active patriotic associations was being gradually decreased by concentration of the balances in hand in the Central .Provincial Incorporated Funds, with satisfaction to the present trustees and donors of the funds. iMr. C. M. I.uke, of Wellington, was appointed to the council and its executive committee on March 1. 1923, and was welcomed to the council by the chairman.