CONTROL OF WAR FUNDS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15369, 28 August 1915, Page 9

CONTROL OF WAR FUNDS.

SUPERVISION BY THE STATE, A NATIONAL COUNCIL BILL ENTIM)I>CrCEZD. (sracitL to "thx ran.'*) WELLINGTON. August 27. The War Funds Bill which was introduced to-day, aims at securing som© kind of State supervision of the numerous funds that have been raised for war purposes. ■Clause 2 defines the term "war fund," an<] the definition is regarded as wide enough to include every kind of patriotic fund that may be subscribed to by peoplo in Now Zealand during the present war. The definition is as follows: — V "War funds" means any fund raised wholly or in part by private sub- ( script-ion for any purpose m connexion with the present war. and in particular for any of the following purposes: — (a) J) or the relief of distress occasioned by the war. (b) For tue '.equipment in whole or m part or nuval or military forces, including tiie equipment of any hospital ship. (c) For tue supply of ©omfortQ or oonveniences to membere of the said loices. (d) I'or the relief, assistance, or support of members of the satd forces who may be sick, wounded. disabled, or out of employment, or for the relief, assistance, or support of their dependents, or of tho dependents of members who may lose their lives directly or indirectly, in or in connexion with the present war, and include any other fund declared by notice in the "Gazette"' to be a "war fund." So that the various funds may bo safely and efficiently administered, and that the wast© entailed by the separate administration of a number of funds may bo avoided, provision is made for the creation of a National War Funds Council. The Bill does not compel trustees or other pereons oontrolhng or administering war funds to hand over tho administration of their funds to tho Council, but by creating a State controlled institution, authorised by law to administer tho funds, if asked to do so, it provides a means by which trustees and other persons charged with the duty of looking after war funds may easily and safely transfer their responsibilities. A Minister of tho Crown will be the chairman of the Council. Persons controlling funds which hare not been transferred to the National Council are required to furnish to the .Minister information as to:— (a) The name of tho fund. (b) Tho object of the fund. (c) The names and addresses of persons responsible for its proper expenditure; and (d) Certain other matters relating to the fund. Tho Minister is giren porwer to demand from the trustees such information as to the expenditure of tho fnnd as he may from time to time require. This provision wil| enable the newlyestablished ,Discharged Soldiers Information Department to obtain par-' ticulars of the practical help which is being given to returned soldiers by patriotic organisations. Other clauses will enable the State to watch the public interests by keeping guard over tho administration of the funds, and will also help tho Government to obtain an accurate reoord of the amounts and a description of the objects of the war funds raised throughout tho Dominion. Persons failing to comply ,with the provisions contained in these clauses are rendered liable to a ivnalty. Provision is made for the incorporation of the trustees of a war fund for the recovery of moneys unlawfully exponded, and for the punishment of persons authorising sueh • expenditure. There is also a provision for the audit of funds by the audit office, or by an approved auditor, as well as power to make regulations.