WAR FUNDS IN ENGLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17329, 18 November 1916, Page 5

WAR FUNDS IN ENGLAND.

BIG BALANCE IN HAND. SOME INFORMATION SOUGHT. Six months ago, following an arrangement with the Government, the Federated Patriotic Societies agreed to contribute £3OOO a month for “ extra comforts” for soldiers abroad. In all £IB.OOO has been forwarded, lent the question as to what use this money lias been put to was recently raised. After discussing the matter, the Advisory Board decided to ask the Government for a full statement as to what had been done with the money. In a reply received by the board the Minister of Defence stated that the £IO,OOO from the Hospital Ship Funds was used for the building and equipment at Walton-on-Tliames, and is included in amounts remitted prior to December 31, 1915. Since that date the remittances for comforts, etc., bad averaged £2300 per,month, and bad been more than sufficient for the needs of the men. From cabled advices from the High Commissioner, the following balances wore in hand on September 30, 1.916: — *» £ a. d. High Commissioner’* Comforts Fund 9366 12 7 War Contingents’ Funds—- . General comforts . . . 3167 17 8 Special objects .... 447 15 3' Hospital . . . . . 48 7 1 Special comforts . . . 2142 0 0 Grand total .. . £15,132 12 7 No expense bad been spared to meet all the reasonable requirements of the troops, and. said the Minister, the statement enclosed showed that the High Commissioner and the War Contingent Association are amply provided with money to meet all their needs. The “ Post ” states that the reply occasioned many a smile round the board table, it being, generally held that it gave absolutely no indication ns to wh'at had happened to the money forwarded. It was evident that the money was not needed. Therefore, why should it lie sent when better employment could bo found for it? Another member said that the various societies would stop their contributions unless they could be sure that it was not being sent for Bed Cross purposes. The societies in practically all the centres had nn arrangement that, the Red Cross organisation would do one portion of the work, and the other patriotic societies the remainder.