TO BE OR NOT?

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 27, 1 February 1923, Page 8

TO BE OR NOT?

WAR FUNDS ADVISORY BOARD

ACTIVITIES TO CONTINUE.

A discussion arose at.to-day's meeting of the Advisory Board of the Federation of New Zealand Patriotic and War ReJief Societies as to whether the board should continue its activties or not.

Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp, opening the meeting, said the personnel of the War Funds Council had lately been altered, and was representative of the societies and other bodies concerned. It was now capable of taking over and administering the funds .of societies whose work would justify them in ceasing operations. The number of societies had been reduced at the end of the past year from 983 to 93, and at 31st March would be 43. In Wellington during the past yeaa- there had been considerably more claims than had been expected. The claims had been far above those of the previous year. It had been found' that a greater percentage of men had broken down as the result of war service. The hard times and difficulty of providing employment had affected the position. The loans were being watched, and 80 per cent. were beinc repaid. It was realised that - sometimes it was necessary to be hard in order to be kind. The board would have now to consider whether it would continue its existence. They had done very good work over many" years. No one knew the' enormous amount of workthe various societies they had advised had done. The accumlated funds of the societies totalled £808,000. He believed the public realised the work they had done, and appreciated it. He had in the course of a visit abroad realised that New Zealand had done more than any other country. Unfortunately for the rest of their lives they would have men with them who would break down as the result of their war service in reply to a question, the chairman said local societies did not lose their individuality by placing their funds with the War Funds Council. The funds had still to go to the district they came from and had to be administered locally. He suggested that the War Funds Council was really a fit and proper body to carry on the .work the Advisory Board ha-d been doing, Mr. V. J. Lamer concurred in this view. •

The view was expressed by Mr. J. J. Dongall that the organisation should remain, as there was very little expense, and their advice might be appreciated later, even if activity was not necessary at present. ' i

The Hon. W. W. Sn'odgrass said it might occor that the War Funds Council would formulate a policy, antagonistic to the views of the board,.and the board should continue to exist to combat any such action.

Mr. Hope Gibbons said there was on the board a majority of members who were members of the council. Ho thought they could be relied upon to look after what would be the board's interests.

Mr. H. J. Farrant said he saw no reason why two bodies should exist, but there was a.danger of the War Funds Council being weakened by new members who might not be closely in touch with matters affecting the disposal of the funds. He thought therefore the board should continue.

Mr. E. H. Williams asked how much it cost to keep the board in being. Mr. Shallcrass: " About 30s if the board • does not meet.''

A member: "It cost £3 last year." It was decided to leave the position as at present, the board to be only called together in case of necessity. The matter of representation was considered. Mr. E. H. Williams said the members of the War Funds Council were there to look after all interests, not the district from which they came. '