WAR RELIEF SOCIETIES

Nelson Evening Mail, 2 August 1916, Page 6

WAR RELIEF SOCIETIES

MEETING AT WELLINGTON.

SOLDIERS' LIABILTES

(United Press Association.}

WELLINGTON, This Day

A meeting of tfie Advisory Board of the Federation of New Zealand Patriotic "War Belief Societies is being held to-day. The Bon. J. Paul presided. The Minister of Defence, replying to a complaint from the West Coast, wrote that returned soldiers proceeding to their homes after arrival in the Dominion were provided by t)he Defence Department •with all the necessary travelling warrants. He asked to be informed of specific instances.where returned soldiers had had to pay their own fares, eo that the ma.tter couldi be fully investigated. The Boar<? decided to express satisfaction atr the treatment meted out to returnee! men. The Prime Minister wrote relative to tho resolution suggesting the establishment of a moratorium: to as to give absolute protection to soldiers. He pointed out that members of the Expeditionary Force are already fully protected against liability for capital amount of all mortgages owing by them. The term urortgapce included, in that connection, all securities over personal ■property as well as over land. "He was not aware of any reason which would justify relieving soldiers of liability for interest, rates, rent, etc. I-n cases of alleged oppression by landlords or other creditors against soldiers or their families, the Government would' give such- ca«es every consideration if evidence' to that effect was placea before it.-