AID TO SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23748, 30 August 1940, Page 6

AID TO SOLDIERS

RELIEF ASSOCIATION WORK DRAWING TO CLOSE PLANS TO TRANSFER ACTIVITIES When, at the end of September, the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association curtails its activities by closing its "A" fund, the work of assisting necessitous cases among exservicemen will be taken up immediately by the National War Funds Council. The association has been doing this for over 24 years, but recently decided to close its "A" fund activities and transfer part of its balance to the War Funds Council. The intentions of the War Funds Council were indicated in a letter received at a meeting of the executive committee of the association yesterday. It was stated that with the transfer of the funds there would be no delay in providing assistance, and ,it would be possible to deal- with Auckland cases for relief as expeditiously as at present. Advisory Committee It was pointed out that there were seven advisory committees of the War Funds Council in various districts and all were working satisfactorily. The method followed was that when a district association closed and transferred assets to the council, a local advisory committee was set up and an imprest made available. The council said it would welcome any suggestions as to the names of those who should be appointed to the Auckland committee and other committees in the country districts which it might be necessary to establish. It was left to the Finance Committee, together with the chairman of the Claims Board, Mr. A. G. Lunn, to propose suitable names for tho committee. Fewer Claims Made ' The report of the Claims Board stated that its work was still shrinking, and there would be no difficulty in bringing it to a conclusion at the end of September. During the past quarter assistance had been granted to 151 cases, the total expenditure being £527. The president, Sir James Gunson, reported that arrangements were being made for closing tho "A" fund, and it would be necessary to provide for reduced office accommodation, as the work of tho association w-ould then be principally in connection with the control of the Veterans' Home. He mentioned that the joint committee of the Red Cross and St. John in Auckland; which still had administrative duties in connection with the Great War, had expressed a desire t9 continue to have its affairs conducted in the office. For this they were prepared to pay half the costs of office accommodation and clerical work. Authority was given to make the arrangements.