SOLDIERS' WINDFALLS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18015, 6 March 1924, Page 9

SOLDIERS' WINDFALLS.

AUSTRALIAN LEGACIES.

(FBO It OUB OWN COBBBSPOKDBirr.;

SYDNEY, February 28.

Money seems to be figuratively raining upon the returned soldiers here. The late Mr German Verge recently made a bequest to the diggers of New «Buth Wales, of £120,000, which now awaits distribution by trustees who are to be appointed. Now it is higlily probable tnat they will benefit to tne extent of another 5i30,000 under the will of the late Mrs Mary Ann Dewar, of Darlinghurst, who, (lying in 19*22, Jeft a small fortune, on which alone assesses prolate duty at £32,000. A big sum, estimated at £30,000, in the form of residuary personal estate, Mrs Dewar empowered her_ trustees -to apply in connexion with the support, maintenance, or housing of returned soldiers of the Commonwealth and their dependants. As distinct from the German Verge bequest, winch, is for the returned men of New South Wales only, Mrs Dewar's munificent gift is for the diggers and their dependants of Australia generally. Itepresentations have been made to the federal and State Government to forego their claims to death duties on the £30,000. The Federal Government agreed, but the attitude of the State Government, it is stated, v "is that the proposal cannot be "legally sanctioned under the Stamp Duties Act. The amendment of the Act, however, to meet the position was reported to have been promised, but the Act was unaltered. The result was that State, stamp and probate duty took a big slice out of the estate. If thesfe two huge sums are properly applied, there should be. no necessity for furtheir appeals by the diggers.