WISELY ADMINISTERED

Evening Star, Issue 26091, 3 May 1947, Page 8

WISELY ADMINISTERED

BRITISH FLOOD RELIEF FUND ASSURANCES TO CONTRIBUTORS (N.Z.F.A. Especial Cumspuinluui > LONDON, May 2. New Zealanders who have contributed so generously to the Lord Mayor of London’s National Flood Distress Fund may rest assured that the fullest and wisest use is being made of the money sent. - The object of the fund is to alleviate distress, and help is. given where evidence is produced of distress or hardship caused by the prolonged winter storms and Hoods. The immediate aims are to replace or repair personal and domestic losses, such as clothing, furniture, bedding, furnishings, and floor coverings. Assistance is also given for reinstating people in their homes, and the redecoration of houses. The fund is administered by an executive committee. The committee meets weekly at Mansion House, and the Lord Mayor presides over a gathering of aldermen' of the Corporation of London, representatives of banking, insurance, accountancy, Press circles, and also of central Government' departments, the ltoyal Agricultural Society, the British and Canadian Red Cross Societies, the National Council of Social Service, add the Women’s Voluntary Service. ' Local authorities have established relief committees,, which include voluntary .organisations, and they receive applications from those desiring help. These applications are then forwarded to the Executive Committee, which decides the grants to be made. Representatives of these local committees. together with the Executive Committee, form all advisory council to review the progress and administration of the fund. - One stipulation is that grants may not be used to meet stock, crop, and other industrial losses sustained bv farmers, since there is a National Agricultural Disaster Fund to alleviate any such claims. Farmers are; of course, eligible to receive assistance to replace their personal and domestic losses. No relief is given where losses are covered by insurance. The sums disbursed so far'amount to £160;000.