WAR FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 27, 31 July 1941, Page 11

WAR FUNDS

POST-WAR OUTLOOK

POLICY FOR THE FUTURE

The twenty-sixth annual meeting of the National War Funds Council was held yesterday, the following councillors being present:—Messrs. W. Morrison, Masterton;, L. O. H. Tripp, S. J. Harrison, J. D. Harper, W. E. Leadley, and J, Murray, Wellington; H. Holland, Christchurch. Apologies were received from Sir James Gunson, Sir Andrew Russell, Messrs. V. J. Lamer and J. T. Paul, and Colonel A. Cowles. Mr. Tripp, chairman of the executive, presided.

The proceedings were opened by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry).

Discussion took place regarding present and future relief, which has been closely . investigated. by the .New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association and Canteen Fund Board. It was the considered opinion that relief will be sought for the next fifteen years at least,. and the' council, as the central body, will be called upon by district associations to supply funds to allow them to" continue their activities. It was held that, though the need for assistance was not so marked this year, in the near future the demand will be more in evidence and it was important that funds be so expended that associations will be able to assist throughout the period relief is required. At the end of the present war many of the old soldiers who are filling the places of younger men who have enlisted will no doubt lose their positions and look to the returned soldiers' and patriotic associations for help. Viewing the whole position, the policy decided upon was that while according the present help required, it was essential that the funds be so controlled that relief may be. available in the years to come when it wilL prove of great benefit. POSITION OF ACCOUNTS. The statement of accounts disclosed that the accumulated fund now stands at £79,183 and trusts at £14,916. The transactions for the year show an excess of income of £6677, but this is due to the transfer of the funds of the Auckland Patriotic Association, and had this transfer not been effected an excess of expenditure of £1038 would have been shown. Trusts accounts were increased by a small bequest and interest earned, but the expenditure practically equalled income. The Government approved of a further £250 for the benefit of veterans of the South African War, and this sum was disbursed through the New Zealand South African War Veterans' Association. During the year a grant of £200 was made available by the trustees of the J. R. McKenzie Trust Board. The gift was highly appreciated by the council and the sum was allocated to the four metropolitan districts. The expenditure on assistance, £4056, showed a small decline, compared with last year, mainly due to war conditions now prevailing, with the consequent demand for labour, with the result that many who sought assistance in the past have now employment. The vote for unemployment relief was discussed and a sum of £3000 authorised for the year, the executive being, given power to expend a higher sum if warranted. Reference was made-to expenditure of trust funds, the chairman reporting that arrangements have been made to assist certain cases of post-war blindness and further expenditure will be made in this respect. Similar action is to be taken concerning the widows' and orphans' trust, power being given the executive to make further disbursements from the trust. A vote of thanks was accorded the secretary, Mr. O. H. Dillner, for his service during the year.