WAR RELIEF SOCIETIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 60

WAR RELIEF SOCIETIES

WELLINGTON, February 1. The Advisory Board of the War Relief Societies’ Federation to-day decided to continue its activities. The chairman (Mr L. O. H. Tripp), reviewing the work, said that the War Funds Council was now capable of taking over the funds of the societies whose work would permit them to cease operations. The number of societies was reduced at the end of last year front 883 to 93, .at the end of next March would be 43. In Wellington claims had been unexpectedly. numerous, arid far above the previous year. More men had broken down as a result of war service, and hard times had affected the position. Some 80 per cent, of loans were being- repaid. The funds of the societies totalled £BBO.OOO. These societies did not lose their individuality bv placing their funds with the council. The funds had still to go to the district whence they came and to bo locally administered. He suggested that the council was a fit and proper body to carry on the work the Advisory Board had been doing. Mr V. I. Larner (Auckland) concurred. Mr J. J. Dougall (Christchurch) said the board cost little, and might be appreciated later. The Hon. Mr Snodgrass said the council mig,ht formulate a policy antagonistic to Iho Board’s views, and the hoard should exist to combat such. After further discussion, in which it was stated that the board only cost 20s if it did not meet, it was decided to continue, hut the board to meet only in case of necessity. The board reaffirmed a previous resolution disapproving of the Taranaki system of grants as gifts.