CONTROL OF PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2552, 28 August 1915, Page 10

CONTROL OF PATRIOTIC FUNDS

4 A NATIONAL COUNCIL ■r FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION Tlie' War Fluids Bill', which' was introduced, in the House of Representatives yesterday, aims at securing some sort of State supervision for the numerous funds that have been raised for war purposes. Clause 2, which- defines the term "war fund," r ( eads as under:— . For the purposes of this Act "war fund" means any fluid heretofore or that may "hereafter be raised, wholly or in part by private subscription, for any purpose in ' connection with the present war; and in particular for any of '.the' following purposes, namely:— (a) For the relief of distress occasioned by the war,- whether in New Zealand or elsewhere in the British' Dominions, or in the territory of any Statel allied to His Majesty, whether such territory is in enemy occupation or not; (b) for. the equipment in whole or in part of any portion of His Majesty's naval or military ■ forces, including tho equipment of amy hospital ship; (c) for the supply of comforts or conveniences to members of the said forces; and (d) for the relief, assistance, or support qf members of the said 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 connection with the present war, and includes any other fund that the Minister, by notice in the Gazette., declares, to be a war fund. ■ "Minister" means the' Miroetcr of the Crown for the time being administering this Act. "Trustee" includes every person for the time being exercising control, either solely or jointly with any other person or' persons, over any war fund. In an explanatory memorandum the Attorney-General (the Hon; 'A'. L', Herdman) states: "Clause 2 defines the term 'war fund,' and the definition is',, I think, wide enough to'include'every kind of patriotic that may be subscribed to by people in New 1 Zealand dining-'tlio Dreseiit war. So that the various funds may be safely and efficiently administered, and that the waste entailed by the separate administration of a number of funds may be avoided, Clauses 3 and 8 provide for the crea-: Won of a. National War Funds Conn, cil. It should, however, be clearly understood that the-Bill does not compel trustees or other persons controlling or administering' war funds to hand over .the administration of their funds to tho council, but by creating a Statecontrolled institution, authorised by, law to administer 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 safelv transfer .their responsibilities.' The Bill provides that a Minister of tho Crown shall he the chairman of the . council. . ' "Clause 9 requires the persons controllinsc" ftin'ds Which have - not. been transferred to' the National ' Council to furnish to the Minister information as' to (a) the name of the fund; (b) the object of the fund ; (c) the names and addresses' of persons responsible for its proper expenditure; and (d) certain other matters relating to tho fund. - ' . < "Clause 10 stives' power to the Minister to demand from the trustees such information as- to the expenditure of the. fund as lie may from .timeto ..time require. This; provision will enable liewly established Discharged Soldiers' Information Department to obtain particulars of the practical help which . i 3 being given to returned soldiors by patriotic organisations. "Clause's 9 and 10 will enable tho State to watch the public interest by keeping giiard over the administration of tho funds, and ; will' also help the Gcvernment to obtain an accurate record\of the amounts and a description of the objects of the war funds raised throughout tlhb Dominion. Persotas failing to comply' with the provisions contained in; Classes 9 and lO .arg rendered liable to a penalty. r< _ 1 '. "Clause 12 makes provision for tlie incorporation •of tho trustees of 'a' war fund; and' Clause 15' provides for tlie recovery of moneys. unlawfully - expended, and'for. the punishment of-persons authorising such' expenditure.' Clauses 17, 18,- and 19 provide for tlie audit of funds by the Audit Office or by'an approved auditor and givo power to make regulations."