DRAIN ON WAR FUNDS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 141, 29 May 1920, Page 5

DRAIN ON WAR FUNDS.

BY INDIGENT IMMIGRANTS

Wellington, May 29. A report presented to tne ’»»ar Relief Association states that there has been a great increase in claims from Imperial soldiers and dependents, many ot whom arrive in New Zealand without money. Tne association has requested Sir James Alien ta ascertain wuetner money should be sent to New Zealand tor the benefit of sucn immigrants. Tne committee did not consider that war fundk raised for New Zealand soldiers should be expended on people sent from England and suggested that no immigrant should be sent without the approval of the High Commissioner. The chairman said the association was being asked to provide for some of these people and charitable aid was being burdened. Some were in ijl-health and should never have been allowed to come. They required assistance on arrival* cle mentioned the case of a woman of 31 years of age who arrived with five children. Tne husband was to come in six months, but meanwhile the wife had no means. While many immigrants were quite desirable some became a charge on the country at once. Suggestions had been made to the Government. The present expenditure of the association "is about £30,000 annually, and the funds would be exhausted in two years. It is proposed to set aside a definite proportion of the money in hand for permanently and totally disabled meh and others who may break down as the result of war experiences.