WAR RELIEF FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 31, 5 August 1933, Page 13

WAR RELIEF FUNDS

KAIKOURA'S POSITION

THREAT OF LEGAL ACTION

An intimation that if > funds held by the Kaikoura War Eelief Association arc not handed over to tho Canterbury Patriotie'^imd or tho National War Funds Council, action to -bring about such a, course will be taken in the Supremo Court, has been received by tho Kaikoura association, from Mr. Mai-, colm Frasor, Undcr-Secrptary for . Internal Affairs, states the Christchureh "Press." This direction has caused deep resentment, arid on Thursday, the executive of the association waited on the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. Bitchener) to protest. . The following letter from Mr. Fraser was shown to tho Minister^ '' With_ reference to the recent investigation into the'administration and accounts of tho War Relief Association of Kaikoura, I have to advise, by direction of the Minister of Internal Affairs, that the report of the investigation has' been fully considered/and from'the facts, enumerated therein, it is evident that'numbers of cases have occurred of funds being disbursed to former soldiers merely on the qualification of active service, and with lio relation to their financial situation. Again, an application from a case .iv. actual need of assistance was turned down by the executive committee on August 18, 1932, for 'lack of funds,' yet the minutes of the meeting of the loth of the next month report that a bank overdraft of £150 had been granted to complete the last payments to soldiers. Hence, it seems that the executive was more concerned- to pay a £5 grant to all who qualified than with carrying out its functions under rule 2 of the constitution. "Proper. investigation of cases has not been made, as is evident by the fact that cheques were made- out within a few days of the date of 'application,' tho shortness of time, precluding proper"inquiries. , It is evident that a definite breach of section'lß of tlie War Funds Act, 1918,, has been committed, which would render the trustees liable to refund improperly expended money, and to the fine mentioned in section 17 of the same Act. In vieVv of the circumstances, I am directed to inform the -association that the Minister will consent to the' transfer of its. funds to the Canterbury Patriotic Association or to tho National War Funds Council. If this opportunity is not accepted, in view of the seriousness of the matters disclosed in the report of the investigatorj other steps will require to be taken'to secure a decision of the Supreme Court -upon the matter, pursuant to tho provisions of the War Funds /Amcndrilent Act,----1918.", . - .' ". - PROTEST TO MINISTER. Representatives of the association stated to the. Minister that of .£3OOO raised during tho war period, £200 remained. The Government Auditor had made; an investigation without the knowledge of the executive, which had always taken •up ,the attitude of distributing the money to those most in need. The. executive was, quite prepared to have an open Magisterial inquiry; but it felt that Mr. Frajser 's letter was an imputationof mismanagement and abuse of funds. -.-They .would' not hand over the funds to secure exoneration, but wanted inquiry. There was no - one in Wellington or Christchurch ,who knew the needs of.the' district.' ■-. • '.-.'.■■■.' ■ ■ . The Minister said ho appreciated the work of those who were-assisting the returned soldiers. ■It was always the case that those Who 'tried to help others met differences of opinion. Ho thought that tho whole question^should bo rovicwed,- and..?ho wouldr.rsconuncnd...,Mr. Young, to send a representative to Kai* koura to meet tho executive and make a complete inquiry. . •■ ■ , • >■