SHEEP-OWNERS’ DEBT TO SEAMEN

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 69, 15 December 1923, Page 5

SHEEP-OWNERS’ DEBT TO SEAMEN

ANNUAL MEETING OF TRUSTEES “A UNIQUE FUND” The Hon. Edward Newman, M.L.C., presided at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen’s Fund yesterday afternoon. There were present Messrs. L. O. H. Tripp, Alex. Macintosh, O. S. Watkins, C. M. Luke, T. It. Lees, Captain H. D. Hamilton, R.N., WjHG. Rudd, J. Linklater, J. C. N. Grigg, M. Bethell, G. L. Marshall, and Captain F. A. Maclndoe (lion, marine adviser). The annual report stated that the vacancy on the board caused through the death of Mr. Alexander Boyle Was filled by the appointment of Mr. C. M. Luke of Wellington. The personnel of the board was later increased by the appointment of Mr. J. Linklater, M.P. “During tho year,” states the report, “the committee met on 41 occasions and consideration was given to 526 applications for financial assistance from sailors and dependants. Relief payments made to sailors and during tho year totalled £6119 2s. lid.. and loans amounted to £3971 16s. 4d. . . . In some cases the children of the beneficiaries are nearing wage-earning ages and in others baclly disabled men are adapting themselves to some form of light employment suited to the disability, but with the likelihood of further cases coming under notice, it is not anticipated that assistance to permanently disabled sailors and dependents will bo less than £2OOO per annum for some years to come. . . . Loans completed during the year were granted free of interest for periods of from two to five years, and with the exception of a few small unsecured loans totalling £l3O, such security as may havo been available has been taken in each case. A pleasant feature of the year’s work was tho distribution of useful Christmas gifts amongst the children of the fund’s beneficiaries. £lO2 14s lid. was expended in this direction. . . .”

In moving the adoption of the report, and balance-sheet the chairman expressed keen regret at the death of Mr. Alexander Boyle. He referred to the good work of the executive, which had held 40 meetings during the year. All were busy men, and he appreciated th« sacrifices they had made. As to the linacial position a sum of £212,000 had been contributed by subscribers, £5OOO of which was taken by the Government as income tax, leaving them £185,000. That amount had been reduced by £30,000 taken out of the capital for the use of the advisory committee in London. They had expended all the interest in New Zealand, so that subscribers would see that they had not wasted their patrimony. After expenditure amounting to over £40,000 they still had a capital of £155,000. He thought those present would think that was satisfactory. Captain Maolndoe and the secretary (Mr. E. B. Watson), had been very careful in connection with grants to see that no overlapping took place. Mr. Newman appreciated the assistance given by organisations such as the Salvation Army, the Navy League, and other bodies, also ladies and others who had been so glad to give ■their services voluntarily and gratutously. Mr. Lees. (hon. treasurer) and Mr. Alex. Macintosh, both of whom had recently returned from England, had whilst there an opportunity of inquiring into the work done there by the advisory committee under Sir James Allen, and testified to its exceptional character. The fact they had always to bear in mind was that it was a New Zealand fund, subscribed by New Zealand wool growers,, and what was done should be distinctive of New Zealand. Concluding, the chairman said he would like to see subscribers take a little More interest in the administration of the fund. It was a unique fund, peculiar to New Zealand, and peculiar to one class of farmers —the wool growers. Mr. Grigg seconded the motion, which was carried.