DOMINION'S GENEROSITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16007, 27 August 1915, Page 9

DOMINION'S GENEROSITY.

[GIFTS TO VARIOUS FUNDS I I , XFAIILY HALF A MILLION. i I [in- tei.i i.rami. — si'Et-i.it. i onr.i.sroMi! vt.l i Wellington-, Tliursday. ' The following interesting referen<o to i I the contributions made to war and patriotic I I funds in the Dominion was made in the I , Financial Statement, presented in the I i House to-night. ■ " Immediately after the Government decided to equip and despatch an expeditionary Force an appeal was made to the public of New Zealand for (rifts in money and in kind to assist the equipment and other necessary preparations. The response was beyond all expectations, and the Government desires to express its appreciation of the patriotism and generosity that were displayed. "Co to "March 31 a sum of £159,137 had been subscribed in actual cash to assist the war expenses, but it must not be sup- ' posed that this sum represents the full measure of the subscriptions in money and in kind which the people of New Zealand gave through various channels to assist our soldiers." The following are the principal purposes for which the sum of £159.137 was received and expended by the Government: General war purposes, £144,499 .8s lOd : school ambulance fund, £2279 9s 8d ; forage, £186 13s 3d ; loan to Government, £100; quick-firing gun. £247; purchase of horses. £3175 17s lOd; medical equipment, £142 10s 3d : X-rav apparatus, £250: field ambulance. £2130 10s 3d; purchase of motors, £1618 4s 6*l ; motor ambulances, £3788 7s Bd. " It is difficult to accurately ascertain the amount of money and the value of the gifts which had been forwarded prior to I the date when the Government took over the work of dealing with the relief funds," says the Minister, when referring to donations to Belgian and other relief funds. "but from information so far furnished the amount transmitted to London in money and in kind up to March 31 last was approximately £237.267. This was entirely apart from contributions for war purposes, which are enumerated above. "A most generous response was also made to the Governor's appeal for funds for the New Zealand hospital ship.. A sum of no less than £80.400 has been contributed, of which £47.548 is in the hands of the Government, the balance being still retained hv local committees." Therefore, the total given to the war funds, the distress fund& and the Hospital Ship Fund tin to March 31 was approximately £476,804. " VV