WOUNDED SOLDIERS AND PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 16, 19 July 1915, Page 6

WOUNDED SOLDIERS AND PATRIOTIC FUNDS

tO THE BDITOR. Sir,— Now that the Wellington Carnival is at an end, and citizens have responded freely to the above fund, 1 would suggest that the executive to whom the money has been entrusted do something tangible- in the way of helping our boys. Yesterday 270 brave fellows, who risked their lives in Gallipoli, arrived in Wellington eick and wounded, and I would like to ask what is being done with the large amount of money collected for the purpose of alleviating the sufferings of those for whom the cause was inaugurated. For instance, has any of this money been distributed to any of the men who returned to New Zealand to-day, and if not, what is the executive doing in the matter? Again, there are, unfortunately, many of our wounded men lying iv hospital at Alexandria, Malta, and in England, who may be in sore need of a few fehillihge. No doubt, the Imperial Government has lost no time in handing over what is due to them for duty dont, but what about those who are already mourning the loss of a husband or a son, who have been the only means of keeping home together.' I understand that, up to the present, the New Zealand public has subscribed close on £150.000 for the wounded sol' diers and their dependents, ftnd would respectfully ask whether any of this money has or will be cabled Home, to the New > Zealand High Commissioner for distribution amongst those who are laid aside, and not yet invalided home to New Zealand. This is a question which t consider the New Zealand public has a right to , know, and the sooner it is made clear as to what action the executive intend to take ( the better for all concerned, and until this is done we have good catuo for stating that any delay in al-' lotting part of the fund will deter the public from responding to any further appeals in connection with patriotic purposes.—l am, etc., ROBERT WILSON. [Mr. Wilson's letter was referred to the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), who stated that a conference of district representatives was to be held at the end of thepresent month to draft a scheme for dealing with the funds collected. In the meantime he and the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, who Were the trustees of the funds, had no power to allocate any grant , from them. Should there be auy urgent ease of distress, however, he would, upon application, see 4 that relief was granted from other available funds.]