WAR FUNDS COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 270, 13 August 1942, Page 8

WAR FUNDS COUNCIL

Year’s Operations Reviewed

In reviewing the work of the National War Funds Council during the past year at the twenty-seventh annual meeting of the council in Wellington yesterday. the chairman of the executive, Air. L.'O. H. Tripp, said that many claims were still received from men -of the 1914-18 war, and he was strongly ot opinion that after the close of the present war applications would increase, as many men had secured light work in civil and military avenues, which would cease when hostilities ended. He pointed out that the council Still held £77.507 in the general account and trusts of £14,000. The council’s fund was regarded as a central fund from which district societies would be assisted when their own funds had been depleted. Already the council assisted 10 district societies, and in the near future would provide imprests to others. Explaining the work done in Wellington. he stated the Wellington War Relief Association and the ' Welfare Patriotic Committee of this war had formed, a joint committee, thus enabling ex-soldiers of both wars to be dealt with by a joint committee, and excellent work was being done. It was mentioned, that the same policy had been adopted in Dunedin, and the opinion was expressed by councillors that other districts would do. well to carry out such procedure. The report dealing with assistance showed that £4441 had been expended on relief apart from assistance to Imperial men who were now dealt with by the N.Z.R.S.A. Trust funds had been operated upon, special assistance having been given to widows and post-war blind men. Relief was also made available to N.Z.E.F. men resident in England and Australia. It was resolved that further relief be given to widows and children of deceased soldiers. The matter of further unemployment relief was fully dealt with, and, though it was recognized that ample. work was available, it was stressed that special cases of advancing age and inability to work for a period owing to sickness still required help, and it was decided to authorize the executive to render assistance up to £2500, and in future such assistance be termed “special relief.” Since 1927 the sum of £122,000 had been disbursed. On the motion of Mr. W. E. Leadley, a resolution of appreciation of Mr. L. O. H. Tripp's services to the council and to other patriotic bodies was adopted. Other members paid tribute to Mr. Tripp’s long service in public life, and expressed the hope that he would be long spared to carry on his good work.