WAR RELIEF.

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 286, 29 August 1933, Page 6

WAR RELIEF.

Wellington Association SOME RESIGNATIONS Removing a Misconception In presiding at the executive committee of the 'Wellington War Relief Association yesterday, the aeting-chan-inan, Mr. C. M. Luke, the newly-nominated members, Dr. Theodore G. Gray, Colonel J. J. Esson, C M G., V.D., and Mr. 11. W. Kersley. In doing so, Mr. Luke said that members of the committee rendered quite Important service to the men concerned, particularly in the depression through which they were passing. The work was sometimes complex and difficult, not so much on accbunt of finance, but through the special circumstances of some of the cases. The funds had always been most carefully copserved., yet notwithstanding all the association’s care, the fund had been reduceil to something between £lB,OOO and £19,000, Which had been partly due to the help given those out of employment and experiencing distressful times. The committee would not be able to continue this aid were it not for the help given by the National War Funds Council, which had a fund of over £200,000, now reduced to about £lOO,OOO. This council voted sums periodically to the associations throughout New Zealand which were attending to the wants of necessitous returned soldiers. Other Centres Aided. The Wellington War Relief Association, continued Mr. Luke, had perform* ed a great deal of work on behalf of other places. Compared with some centres, the work done here was probably as much as six or eight to one. So it was fortunate that the association had been able to draw upon the National War Funds to meet these needs. In Auckland the funds of the local association hnd been conserved for sick and wounded returned soldiers, and those who were out of wdrk had not been able to draw on the but the constitution of the Wellington association was more elastic, and consequently it had been able to. do. more. The claims arising out of the economic condition were five to one compared with wounds and sickness, and the association would never, have been able to meet them but fqr the War Funda Council. Mr. Luke extended a hearty reception to the new members, and moved that their nomination be confirmed. This was approved by the meeting. Request, to Continue. The chairman also referred to the resignations of Messrs. H. D. Burdekin and S. J. Harrison. He moved that the resignation of Mr. Burdekin be accepted with regret. Speaking• about Mr.. Harrison, Mr. i Luke said he had been one of the most useful members of the applications committee, which njet daily. It was hoped tha'f Mr. Harrison would reconsider his resignation. He had regarded himself as a delegate of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, but actually there were no delegates to the 'association, whose members were invited. to assist as citizens. As Mr. Harrison had probably supposed that there was a misconception as to his position, he thought he had better resign. - To remove any misconception; Mr. Luke said he and Mr. A. Macintosh had waited upon Mr. W. Perry,- president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, since which interview they thought and hoped that Mr. I-larrlson would withdraw his resignation. On the motion of Mr. Luke, it was decided that Mr. Harrison be seen again and requested to withdraw his resignation. Emergency Committee. The emergency committee reported that it had met on 20 occasions since the executive meeting of July 26, 1933, and during that period of 24 working days dealt .with 151 claims, all of which were referred to and confirmed by the application? committee, which met on five occasions and disposed of 5 247 applications, of which 40 were claims from those who had not previously approached the fund. There were 62 applications still under action, and the total number of claims received, therefore, amounts to 300. The number of persons who called at the office during the period under review previously mentioned was 434. The'finance committee’s report, pre-' sented by Mr. Macintosh, chairman, sei out that the expenditure for the month of July amounted to £426/8/6, and the income to £417/8/5, so the net debit to capital was £9/0/1. The investments totalled £18.400, besides which there was £286/1/9 in current account, and £3O cash in hand, making the total funds available at July 31 £18,716/1/0. A sub-committee was set up to go into the matter of a new lease of a suite of offices. ■