WAR RELIEF.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 139, 10 December 1923, Page 8

WAR RELIEF.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE

A meeting of the executive of the War Belief Association was held at noon to-day. Mr. L. 0. H, Tripp presided, and there were, also present Messrs. J M'lntosh, C. M. Luke, and D. M'Laren. The date ior the closing of nominations for the re-election of retiring members—Messrs. C. M. Luke, S. Kirkcaldie J. Lewis, A. Veitch, and J. M'lntosh— was decided upon as the 21st January: It was decided to hold the annual general_meeting of the association oh the 13th',February. .-;. ' X' The Emergency. Committee was appointed a sub-committee to approve the draft annual report. The report of the Finance Committee, which was adopted, stated that the committee had met once since the executive' meeting of the 29th November, and in addition to the ordinary function of controlling the financial affairs of the association, it had dealt with seven applications, each involving a sum in excess of £50. All of these were old cases that had been previously dealt with, but required revision in respect of alterations of conditions of repayment; their total value was £1217 comprised by residential property, £552 • domestic, £65; commercial, £500: and agricultural, £100.

The question of the future policy of the association in respect to "loans" was carefully considered, and although the unpaid balance of loans now amounts to £13,000, it was decided to continue to consider applications of this nature where the circumstances of any such application warrants it; all claims oi this nature, however, whether amounting to £50 or less, are to be referred to and dealt with by the Finance Committee, subject to the report of the executive as usual.

The statement of accounts submitted to and approved by the Finance Com--ss^ tT- 33 follows:-Expenditure, ±-760 4s 3d ; income (including per contra credit for loans advanced durinc the month), .£486 14s 4d r excess of expenditure over income (charged .to capital account), £273 9s lid.' ■-'<

Owing to the interposition of the Christmas holidays,' ,th e executive' committee had been called a- fortnight earlier, and there had therefore been only one meeting of the', Applications Committee, since the> executive meeting on the 29th November. During that period of seven working ."-days,., there had been 111 cases under action; of these, four were new and 107 old cases whilst there were 79 cases, under action! lhe remainder, comprising 32 cases and embodying 40 applications, were disposed of by the Applications Committee. During the period under review the Emergency Committee met on five occasions and dealt with 25 of the cases referred: to above.

The committee is still called upon to supplement the pensions of disabled soldiers, many of whom are still being sent to hospital on account of recurring war disabilities, and others, bavo been thrown out of employment aa the result of the prevailing depression, and are therefore unable to maintain themselves ana their l dependants on their war pensions.

Many of. the men demobilised fit "A" are still applying to the Applications committee for financial assistance, generally m the direction of provision of board and lodging pending their ability to obtain employment, and the committee, although sympathetic, is not always able to grant assistance, as, in view of rapidly-diminishing resources, funds must necessarily be reserved for digabled soldiers.

Bank balances as at 30th November were:—War 'fund account (fund A), £v r,}l , ,9d; war fu"d account (fund f), £48 4s 6d; war funi account (fund C), £248 6s 3d; total, £646 3a 6d • inf. prest account (fund A), £452 14 3 3aimprest account (fund B), £192 18s sdimprest account (fund C),£300 14s lOd • £1592 U5946 ?S 6d'.. cdmhiaed *»«!.

Investments as at 30th November were:-Fund A (Public Trustee), £29,----f 4 F l™*, (PubHc Trustee), £4578; £34 500 T™stee), £817; total,