POPPY DAY FUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 215, 11 September 1929, Page 8

POPPY DAY FUNDS.

SHARE OF R.S.A.

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT,

We have received the following letter from Mr. A. C. A. Sexton, president Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association:

"Your correspondent ('One of the Mothers') completely misrepresents the position when she asserts that the Returned Soldiers' Association spent £206 in administrative costs in assisting 721 unfortunate soldiers or their dependents to the tune of approximately 1(5/4 each. The £200 is used for general administrative purposes in connection with all branches of our work, including free assistance to appellants in placing their cases before the Pensions Appeal Board. This latter work makes heavy demands on the secretary's time, but the results are well worth it —352 appeals upheld out of 529 presented.

"The Patriotic Association recognised our work by making us a grant of £130 per annum from the B fund, but that has now had to cease. Even with that grant we have been drawing to the extent of over £100 per annum upon a small capital accumulated during more prosperous times, but that encroachment on capital is necessary unless we are to curtail our work for returned men. No portion of the grants from the canteen funds has been used for administrative purposes. Two grants have been made. The first of £1200 was expended as follows:—£160 to other Returned Soldiers' Associations in the Auckland district; £530 to local bodies for subsidised work; £504 in providing employment for 340 men and in assisting 33 urgent cases. The second of £599 5/ was expended as follows: —£23 8/11 to other Returned Soldiers' Associations; £50 to local bodies; £525 C/l in providing employment for 304 men.

"The trustees who administer these funds are responsible men and are elected by the returned men themselves, who are the best judges as to whether or not the funds are being used to the best advantage, and the ultimate control is in their hands. Ido not think that soldiers' aged mothers need distress themselves about holding meetings and passing resolutions. The diggers can still handle their own affairs."