DEBT TO BRITISH SEAMEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 3105, 24 December 1921, Page 2

DEBT TO BRITISH SEAMEN.

SHEEPOWNERS' ACKNOWLEDGMENT FUND. Ln the course of his report for the year ending September 30, 1921, concerning the above,' Mr E. Newmaiij M.P., chairman ol the Board of Trustees, states thai during the year six meetings of the trustees wen held, and these meetings were for (lie most part taken up with the vast amount oi detail work' which was involved in connection with the paying over of the surplus wool profits of iho fund's 2600 contributors. The grand total of ihe authorities to pa) lo Ihe fund, and donations amounted m. £212,319 5s 3d, from which £34,998 9s 7<l was paid in income tax, leaving £177,320 15s 3d In he placed to the credit of the fund. The total excess of assets over liabilities as on September 30 was £178,755 5s 9d. The movement had now been registered as an incorporated fund under the War fund Act, and rare had been taken to see that the functions of the fund should be confined strictly to Ihe conditions under which Ihe moneys were subscribed. An excellent advisory committee had been set up in London under Ihe leadership of Sii James Allen, and was constituted as follows:—The lion. Sir James Alien, K.C.B. (chairman), Admiral Sir W. Lowthei Grant, K.C.8., representing the men of the Naval wyices, Captain 11. K- Creensireol :,.ite Commander of N.Z. Shipping Co.), i,.presentne.; the i ilicers of Ihe Merchant .-enire. Alts E. A. Wilson. C.R.E. (widow of lliu late Dr Wilson, of Arctic lame). I.ieul.-Col. N. 1 ii/.herbeii, C.M.G. (late llicer in charge N.Z. War Records, London), Mr •). I lovelock Wilson. M.P., re presenting men of Ihe Merchant Service phis committee had been Riven power to investigate claims for relief, and to make mints as deemed advisable by them. In response, lo a request from Sir James \l!cn for funds to meei urgent necessitous cases, the sum of £7OOO had been cabled i„ him. A letter was received by the hisl mail from Sir .lames Allen giving delink,,f ; , thorough system of investigation which the London commiltee purpose work i.i.r on. He regretted I hat it was impossible at the present lime lo gauge the amount oi relief which this fund would be called upon lo all'ord, but there was evidence on all sides of a great deal of distress amongst sailors or their dependents, resulting front war service.