PATRIOTIC FUND.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 138, 13 June 1929, Page 7

PATRIOTIC FUND.

SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATION

DETAILS OF EXPENDITURE

SUGGESTED BOARD CURTAILMENT.

Speaking at the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Eelief Association's fourteenth annual meeting this afternoon, Mr. V. J. Lamer, vice-president, said:—"l should like again to voice the suggestion I made last year, that is, that the personnel of this board might well be cut down to the Commissioner and one medical adviser. At present the Commissioner and four members constitute the board. Now that we bave the Pensions Appeal Board there should not be the need of a travelling board, and it looks as if a substantial saving could be made by the Government in this direction. I think I am on safe ground when I say that returned men, and the Returned Soldiers' Associations, would raise no objection to the economy I have suggested, provided the appeal board con-

tinue to act as at present constituted. This suggestion I think worthy of consideration by the Government. This saving might well be applied in the authorisation of relief work for unemployed men." Mr. Larncr went on to say that for fifteen years they had been administering the fund on behalf .of the citizens of the province] It was pleasing to note that the active members of the various committees were practically the same as now when the fund was first inaugurated. They had sacrificed their time and talents on this labour, and, although the demands made were consistent and exact-

ing, their work was always carried out with the same meticulous care and attention. Every case was gone into as minutely as ever; the interests of both the association and of the appellant were rigorously safeguarded. "While the personnel remains as at present," said Mr. Larner, "this policy will applv and the association will continue to fulfil the task set it so many vears ago. The total contributions to the fund to March 31 last, with interest added, amount to £610,000. Of this we have dispersed a total of £438,300, leaving us with a credit balance of £121,700 with which to face the future.". Mr. Larner went on to say that the trrants made by the Auckland Claims Board amounted to £8349, an increase over last year of £913. Exclusive of the branches the applications dealt_ with numbered 0558, an increase of 2535. This showed clearly that the committee had had an exceptionally heavy year.

"Spectre of Unemployment." • "Unfortunately," continued Mr. Larner, "the primary cause of the large amount of grants made is again due in no small measure to the economic position. The spectre in our path is unemployment, and until this disappears we shall continue to have heavy calls made upon us." •This year the board had expended £1564, which was £1029 less than last year, in connection with pernianently ilisabled soldiers. The decrease was to be expected, as they had already assisted the majority of men who had had claims. Since this particular fund was inaugurated no less a number than 534 man had been substantially assisted. This, assistance had for the most part taken/ one of two forms—either they had subsidised the man's effort to provide a home or they had helped him in procuring equipment necessary in his efforts to make a living. ' "In a large number of cases the committee administering the fund has had the eminent satisfaction of seeing for themselves the happy effect of the assistance rendered these men, many of whom are making headway and earning a decent living," remarked Mr. Larner. "The total grants over a lapse of ten years amount to no less a sum than £103,765. Our investments, thanks to the hon. treasurers, are gilt-edged and, in the main, liquid. The return by the way of interest for the year amounts to £7883."