SWINDLING THE PUBLIC

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3007, 19 February 1917, Page 4

SWINDLING THE PUBLIC

WAR RELIEF FUNDS EXPLOITED,

Attempts have teen made here and there to impose on the various war relief funds, which been established throughout New Zealand through the generosity of the public, and which are only supposed to be for the express benefit of sick and wounded soldiers and their dependants when in distress. One woman from a southern city, who said she came to Wellington to see her husband off, and was delayed hero through the Reinforcements not leaving to time,. secured £1 from the local War Relief Association to see her homo again, and writing-back from the south, she stated that she could got no money from' the Defence authorities,- and pleaded for more-assistance. The local secretary told her to apply to the relief society of the city . she. resided in, and the lady, with a charming disregard of the facts, wrote back that she did not know of any relief society in the place. Thereupon the Wellington secretary wrote to the secretary of the southern society concerned, and was amazed to learn that up till January 25 the lady in question had been .drawing money at the rate of '£1 10s. 6d. for eight weeks previously, and since her husband had left they had paid her 10s. 6d. a week right up to date of writing.

Another case, which came under observation recently was that of a woman who wished to "raise the wind" from the War Belief Association whilst on a visit to AVellington from the north to see her husband who was incamp. Her case was inquired into, and it was discovered that she was living in Wellington in company with a woman who had been convicted of keeping a house of ill-fame in Auckland; that four or' her children wero in an orphanage, and that after her husband had been courtmartialled for desertion, he persuaded his wife to com© to Wellington a second time to lodge a firm objection to his leaving tho country.