WAR RELIEF FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 143, 17 June 1916, Page 9

WAR RELIEF FUNDS

WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS DONE.

In a few lines the Minister gave an outline of what New Zealand has done in subscribing to war relief funds. He said :—

Extremely valuable gifts in money and in kind for various relief purposes in connection with the war have been contributed during the past financial year. The monetary gifts -received by the Government, almost entirely for purposes outside New Zealand, amounted to £340.355. The response for Belgian relief purposes was remarkable-, not only because it far exceeded the amount asked for, but also from the fact that the contributions were received during a period when the public was contributing to funds for the relief of our own sick and wounded soldiers and their dependents. Returns sent- in by various patriotic societies show that up to the 31st December, 1915, the sum of £1,638,280 had been raised 'by them, of which over 5980..8Q0 wan than in hand; but tha fuade oi & n)xmbir of societiea hays b*ea

considerably augmented since then, and it is estimated that the total funds now in the hands of patriotic organisations amount, approximately, to £1,250.000. Gifts of the value of £77,000 have been contributed for the poor of Belgium, and £3000 for the poor of the United Kingdom, and £8095 for Red Cross purposes in England, and £51,775 for hospital requisites and comforts for troops in Egypt, etc. The gifts for Jted Cross purposes, hospital requisites, and comforts for our troops in Egypt and other places represent not only the value of nearly £60.000, but also many thousands of hours of devoted labour, first in the collection of money, then ij the purchase of material, and finally in the makingup of the material into various useful articles. Every credit is due to the various organisations, and especially to the women of tho country for the magnificent, work they have performed.