WAR FUNDS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 270, 31 October 1916, Page 3

WAR FUNDS.

H. B. WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION. SOME MISLEADING IMPRESSIONS. NO INTEREST CHARGED. During the past few weeks rumours have been circulated which tended to indicate that the H.B. Mar Belief Association has been charging interest to returned soldiers in such a way as to impose an actual hardship. This, of c'purse, was not the case, and a discussion which took place at yesterday’s meeting of the association clearly indicates the policy of that body when dealing with loans. Mr. F. Logan moved that advances or loans, not in the nature m investments, made by the associaiion to wounded, discharged or undischarged soldiers shall in no case Lear interest. He did not think it was necessary to say anything in support of the motion, but it appeared to him to be a matter for the association to discuss. Mr. Ransom said he would like to second the motion, but he thought the amount should be limited to ij ion. Mr. Ransom said he believed that all those who had given to these funds were antagonistic to the idea that anything lent by the association should Lear interest. That was why i;e supported the motion. If it w’as ■m investment then charge interest bv all means. Mr. AV. Shrimpton said he was not quite sure whether it would not be b. tter to k t the matter stand. Or. i,i any case, they might leave it epen so that the association would Lave the right to charge interest if such was found necessary. The association was not now charging interest. and he thought it was better to 1-ave things as they were. He wanted to see statement that the association was charging interest (impelled once and for all. but the motion would practically apply to all cases.

Air. Logan said he thought the motion should be carried. He had b(<’ii told by two or three young friends that tlm feeling in the coun--Irv was very strong against the association making advances to soldiers or their dependents and fcXpceting to receive interest. He did not think if the associations had made advances at interest it would ever have got the interest, and to press for it would be absolutely unthinkable. The motion was in no case to apply to investments. Air. Shrimpton: Are we charging interest 1 Air. Logan: I understand so. The chairman: Yes. in certain vases, after the first year.. Mr. Harding said he was not satisfied with the motion. He preferred the present system of dealing with each case as it arose. He was quite in favour of allowing small amounts, up to £lou or so. to go free of interest. but thought things could be better carried out without the passing of tli” motion. Each case should, ::s now. be dealt with on its merits. The chairman said he also thought it would be better not to tie the ass. ciation’s hands. There might be some' cases where a man would be vi ell able to pav ini erest. Each case should be dealt with on its merits. At present interest was not charged where it would be a hardship. He felt that many men would rather pay’ interest, because they knew that the funds were for the sick and wounded. Mr. AlcKay: We do not charge interest on small amounts. Air. Logan said that all possible publicity should be given to that. He did not care whether his motion was carried or not. because be thought they would all agree in the main that interest should not be charged. The chairman : I hope it will be made quite clear that it is not the policy of the association to charge interest to those who are adversely affected through the war. Air. Logan said that after the discussion. and seeing that a general piinciple had been arrived at, he would withdraw his motion. This terminated the discussion.