PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 44

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

WHAT NEW ZEALAND HAS RAISED. MONEY NOW IN HAND. CHRISTCHURCH, June 2. The Hon. Mr Russell gave to the press to-day columns of figures showing the contributions to war funds by the people of New Zealand, and the sums still in hand in the different funds. The returns show that moneys have been collected as follows up to March 31:— Collected. In Hand. Bed Cross Funds £1,210,228 £210,513 St. John Ambulanoo ... 42,186 6.592 Lady Liverpool Fund ... 44,426 6.132 Church Funds G 14.445 93,551 Speftal and sundry funds 142,406 27,012 Funds that should be remitted Home. 60.201 8.845 - Totals =62,113,887 £351,955 'CHARGE OF "COLLARING" FUNDS. MR RUSSELL INDIGNANT.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 2. Commenting to-day on the state of tho patriotio funcfs, the Hon. Mr Russell said that tlie idea that tho GoverrQttent wished to "oollur" these funds was absolutely preposterous. As Minister responsible for the administration of these funds ho had no authority to go beyond the law as interpreted by the Crown Law Officers. , To Bay, as had been said, that ho was seeking to hide behind tho opinion of tho Solicitorgeneral was simply preposterous, and unworthy of serious comment. Throughout it had been his determination not to set a precedent which could be used to tho disadvantage of soldiers in the days to come. "I am bound by tho law as it stands," added Mr Russell, "and from that point during the few months I remain in office I don't intend to move. The time may coino, and that very soon, when some of the funds whose objects have ceased may bo brought under review by tho Supremo Court, with a view of determining what should be done with tho money in hand."