WAR FUNDS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16217, 21 May 1918, Page 7

WAR FUNDS.

CITY COUNCIL'S ASSISTANCE

The question of how it should assist war funds was discussed by the City Council last evening.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs John Anderson, A. Kayo, A. F. Carey, F. W. Anderson, and C. j. It. Williams, waited upon tho Council to bring before it the claims of tho Sailors' Day Fund.

Mr John Anderson said the fund was for tho benefit of the men of the British mercantile marine. Ho did not think it required him to say very much. He thought they all knew what those men had been doing. They had been manning the ships of the Empire under great difficulties, and facing great risks. This was not a new fund, but since tho outbreak of war the cost had increased about one hundred fold. Other public bodies had given their support. Two large bodies had given £500 apiece. These men wore sticking to their task under great difficulties and privations. In many cases they- could have left the sea and secured jobs on land much more remunerative, but they had stuck to the sea in a manner worthy of the British nation and all New Zealanders. Ho asked the Council to assist them to provide means for those men, their widows and children. Mr A. F. CaTey said the British and Foreign Sailors' Society had since the war, ruccoured 22,997 torpedoed sailors. Lady Jellicoo had asked the Empire to provide £250,000 for this work. Cr. Fleshor asked what portion of the £250,000 was New Zealand expected to provide." . Mr John Anderson said tney were aiming to raiso £8000 in Canterbury, and they expected that the same effort would ho ma<le in the other provinces. Lady Jellicoe's appeal was for an amount in addition to the large sums contributed already in the Old Country. In reply to the Mayor, Mr Anderson said tho fund_ was entirely distinct from a,ny Royal Navy Fund. The deputation then withdrew. The Mayor said the Council should givo a substantial voto. Cr. Loasby moved that it be an instruction to tho Finance Committee to recommend the giving of a suin of not less than £250 to the fund. Cr. Ell seconded the motion. Cr. Fleshcr asked why could not tho Council levv a special rate to provide for such funds, as was dono in tho country districts. A rate of id would raise £2000 a year, and would affect people who never contributed to war funds. He knew people who could afford it, who never gave a penny to such purposes. Such a proposal as no had made might be considered by the Finance Committee. Cr. Wells agreed with Cr. Flesher that the money should be obtained from tho unwilling people. They should demand that tho people securing enormous profits should pass some of them on to the pooplo working and fighting for them. Cr. MoKellar said that the freight rates" over a certain figure went to the Imperial Government, which was using the profits to pay for the war. Cr. Sullivan said a special rate would not accomplish Cr. Flesher's object, as many wealthy people paid no rates afc all, while poor people who paid rates had already contributed largely to war funds, and could ill afford to give more.

Cr. Hayward said he thought Cr. Flosher's suggestion an excellent one. It was time tno Council adopted something of tho sort. Ho would like to see the Council give £-100 to the Sailors' Dav Fund.

Cr. Loasby said he was prepared to agree to this amount. In regard to Cr. Flesher's proposal, councillors were pledged not to increase the rates ; yet Cr. Flesher was proposing that councillors should turn a somersault.

Cr. Williams urged the Council to deal with every ense on its merits, the ratepayers had t<< provide tho money all the samo.

Cr. Ell commended Cr. Flnsr.cr's proposal. It was decide'.! to vnto £'-!00 to the Sailors' Dnv Fund, the Finance Committee to submit later nnv m-oimnemla-tion it desired regarding tho <)Uestion of the City Council assistance towards war funds.