A TRUST DISCHARGED

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1924, Page 7

A TRUST DISCHARGED

LOANS,TO SOLDIERS.

Speaking at a smoke concert held in connection with the Horowhenua A. and P. Society's show, which concluded yesterday, the Hon, R v F. Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs) referred in complimentary terms to the way in which the returned soldiers who had received assistance from the Government had met their obligation?. Many people, he said, had been under the impression that very much of the thousands of pounds the Government had advanced the men in their repatriation would never be repaid. Those that had held that opinion were very wida of the mark, for out of a sum. of a little over £2,000,000 more than 71 per cent, of the money had been repaid. That was a splendid record. (Applause.)

"There were, it was true," said Mr. Bollard, "some of the men aided by the Government who had either not been in a position to repay their loans, or who had neglected to do so, but I am glad to sny thoy, ospesially the latter, are in the minority. The figures I have mentioned are a fine testimony to the honesty of New Zealnnders. The trust reposed in the men has been faithfully discharged by the great bulk of them, nnd 1 feel «ure tha country will recognise it.." (Applause.^