COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3105, 8 June 1917, Page 6

COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS

PATRIOTIC POCTTITTBS PROVIDE ■ , MONEY. The provision of comfortsyfor New Zealand soldiers overseas was mentioned at yesterday's meeting of the Advisory Board of New Zealand Patriotic Societies. A letter was read from the Minister of Defence, stating that General Richardson wished to have a sum of ,£SOOO for expenditure on comforts tor Nefr Zealand sick and wounded. All® Minister asked if the board wou d provide this money from the sums d° n ™w l>y the patriotic societies. Be added that more money would be required for the same purpose later. ' n .The chairman of the board (Mr. L. U. H Tripp) said that' General Richardson ■was in charge of two New Zealand liospitals. The War Contingent Association was ready to provide, comforts for New Zealand sick and wounded m other hospitals, and the Red Cross organisation was also in possession of funds for the same purpose. Money provided by the patriotic societies was in London already, and the Minister was asking if a portion of it could be handed -to General Richardson. There was reason to believe that the New Zealand Division might be in heavy fighting again very soon, and the comforts for the in hospital had to be prepared in advance to some extent. ' The Hon. ,T. T. Paul said lie could iiot understand why the Government did not simply'transfer to General Richardson- a portion of the money that had been provided already by the societies. The Government had full authority it the claim was a good one, within the limits set by the societies. Mr. Dougall said a definition of soldiers' comforts was required. The military authorities had tried on a prior occasion to use the funds of the patriotic societies to erect a recreation _ hall at Sling Camp. That proposal had been blocked. • . . After further discussion the board authorised the chairman to interview the Minister of Defence, and authorise the transfer of the money if was justified. The board added that the balance of the money provided by tlio societies and now in the hands of the Government should be handed to the War Contingent Association in London.