WAR RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 291, 4 September 1936, Page 2

WAR RELIEF

Association’s Work Appreciated MANY LETTERS RECEIVED ■ .“It is a great, source of satisfaction •to find that people are so grateful for what we are doing.” said the chairman, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, after reading out a number of letter# of thanks frpift recipients of relief, at a committee meet-, mg yesterday, of the War. Relief Association of Wellington. “From the long experience we have ! bad in dealing with the cases which come before us, I think every member of the committee will agree with me when I say that it i# the persona* touch and sympathetic interest in each case by the committee and our staff which is of sb much importance in the efficient administration of our funds. The secretary's t’me is also taken up in advising those that come before him op the many problems that are presented to him. The committee, by meeting every day, see that there is no delay in dealing, with any cases. As chairman, 1 am very proud of the da ly attendance of our emergency committee, extending now over twenty years. 5 ?■ “We do not, please everyone, but we know; how our work, is appreciated by many, and it is pleasing to read the letters of thanks which wo do receive; from time to time.” Mr. Tripp then read a number of extracts from letters of appreciat'on received by the association recently “I have been trying for days to find fitting words to express my gratituaa to you for the great comfort you nave brought to us through your generous help,” wrote a married man with a large family. “You have made us feel life is really good, Just when we were quite downhearted. We now have plenty of blankets and are warm and. comfortable, thanks to you. It is through you that we now have. everything we need. I only wish I were better able to express my thoughts here on paper. Please believe my gratitude is. very deep and sincere, and we will always remember your help and kindness to us. Believe me, we will bo for ever grateful” The wife of a war veteran in illhealth wrote as.follows: “I feel it my duty to write and thank you very much indeed for the great assistance you have given me. My busband and I greatly appreciate it, and as I have not been In the best of health, this assistance will give me a good chanee to build up. and save us both a great deal of worry. Thanking you and al) helpers of the War Relief Association for their kindness, which I hope never to forget.” Other letters were in similar vein:— “Many thanks for your much approbated assistance which I received from you so quickly; Being an Imperial man I have not previously applied to your association or other organisation*, but recently I was absolutely forced to do so. My wife joins me in sending you our s’neere thanks." “By writing these few lines I want you to know bow much I appreciate your assistance. Everything we received was very good value and quality, particularly the blankets, and they were lovely. Thanking your committee very much for the help given.” “These letters are typical of those we receive. It is certainly gratifying to find our services so appreciated,’’ said Mr. R. A. Wr'ght, M.P. “There has indeed been a certain amount of criticism, and we are glad of it, as criticism is often helpful. But many of oui severest critics nave proved to be those who knew least about our act'vities. I feel that the association’s activities should be given full publicity, so that the community which has subscribed should have some knowledge of bow their money is being spent." The emergency committee was stated to have met on 20 occasions since *he executive meeting of July 30, 1936, and during that period dealt with 99 claims, all of which were referred to and confirmed by the applications committee, which met on four occasions and disposed of 120 applications. There were 37 applications stiN under action, and the total number of claims received therefore amounted to 157. The number of persons who called at the office during the period under review was 171. There had been no alteration in the general activities of the committee. A.vsistance had been given to disabled soldiers. to men who were discharged fit but subsequently developed a war disability, to the widows of soldiers who fen in action, and of others dying of nature! causes. During the past montn many applications had been received from the dependants of ex-service men who had broken down in health and had been admitted to a hospital for treatment. Very few of these men were in receipt of a disability pension, but were, on their discharge from the forces, classed fit and were unable to prove their present condition as being the result of war service. Sustenance had been granted in several cases and upon investigation by the lady vis : - tor it had nlso been found that there was a great need for the supply of bedding and clothing. The value of such assistance had been shown in the number of letters of appreciation received during the month, indicating, too, that with the arnonnt of money expended, the max-mum benefit had been conferred. Some of these tnen would be unfit for permanent employment and action hnd been taken to ensure that they received the war veterans allowance. The expenditure on clothing and footwear for the month amounted to £IGO/11/2, and the expenditure for sustenance was £lB7/18/1.