EX-SOLDIER’S DISTRESS.

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1928, Page 6

EX-SOLDIER’S DISTRESS.

RELIEF URGED BY LABOUR MEMBER. WELLINGTON, August 24. A suggestion that, the funds held by the War Funds Council might be more cxt» n ively use ( ] for the relief of returned soldiers who found themselves in distress, was made by Mr D. Sullivan, in the House ,to-day. Statements had Keen made f.rom time to timi- about the large funds he’d by the Council, said Mr Su’Jivan. and it was felt that the money might wc.'l be used for the benefit of returned men who were in distr* ss. Returned soldiers had hail to go to hospital boards and other institu'ions for help. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Downie Stewalt, said that the various patriotic* societies thioughout New Zealand had control of /hi- funds, which as they became exhausted were replenished by the War Funds Council. The Council had aboiU £169 000 in hand at the pres nt time. Mr Lee: That will last about sixty years at the pre ent rate. T’he Minister said tha/ the War FiimU Council pursued a very cautious policy when urn mplovinent was so bad in New Zealand. It was sugges ed that the money he'd by the Council should be used for the relief of rctuim d soldiers who were out of work, but some objection was raised to that course, a- th? monev was no; meant for that purpose. Re-ently, however, some of ‘he money was <b voted to that object. At the present tim? various patriotic societies had in hand about £1,063,000, but only 60 per cer/. ef that could be regarded as liquid. The policy of the various soriet? 1 s gave rise to the very difficult posi ion when unemployment was so b idMr Sullivan: Does this expenditure come out of the interest > a rued? The Mini te-: No. They have been maliirg capital advance* to soldiers.