WAR FUNDS

Evening Star, Issue 18717, 20 August 1924, Page 9

WAR FUNDS

AN AMENDING BILL. [Feb United Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, August 19. In the House of Representatives the Hon. W. Downic Stewart, moved the second reading of the War Funds Amendment Bill. In doing so he stated that the’ incorporation of tlio National War Funds Council was the object of the measure. The War Funds Council was set up hy nu Act of 1915, and was empowered to tnko over the administration of local war funds if requested to do so by the trustees of the latter. The- Act was amended in three succeeding years, and the process is now carried stiil further hy providing machinery for contracts, the vesting of property in the council, and the administration of trusts. Mr Sidey said ho did not think anyone could fake exception to the general principles of the Bill, hut he thought the Minister ought to have given the House some information regarding the various funds administered hy the council. It was some, years since the House had been told how these funds stood. Referring to the Red Cross funds, he contended that it was the intention of those who subscribed this money during the war that such funds as might lie necessary for war purposes should be so used, but that if there were ■a balance that balance should lie applied to'the world-wide objects of the Red Cross Society. New Zealand was the only country in' the world which placed the existing restrictions on this fund, and lie appealed to the Minister to take a broader view of the subject. Mr ITockly criticised the administration of the War Funds Council at Rotorua and at Wellington. He considered the council should devote some of its funds to providing the people at Rotorua with a memorial park to replace the recreation ground given up hy the people to the soldiers at Pukcrua. Mr Mont.eilh advocated closer supervision of the canteen funds, which now amounted to £160,000. The Minister, in the course of his reply, said that the canteen fund was controlled by a separate hoard. Unless they were misusing their powers, lie thought there would he strong opposition on the' part of the Returned .Soldiers’ Association to auv interference with this fund. As to the Bed Cross funds, these funds were subscribed for specific purposes, and unless there wore an alteration of the law the funds must he administered according to the law. Regarding the position of the war funds, he had not the latest figures to hand, hut he would endeavor to give them to the House when the Bill was in committee. Tlie Bill was read a second time.