NAVAL RELIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1789, 7 November 1919, Page 4

NAVAL RELIEF.

EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS. HOME COMMITTEE'S THANKS. A lengthy letter, signed by Admiral I Lord Beresf ord, chairman of the GenI eral Committee of the Navy League j Overseas Relief Fund, was read last night at a meeting of the Canterbury (N.Z.) branch of the Navy League. Some interesting details were given regarding the disposal of the funds contributed for the dependents of sailors of the Royal Navy, or its auxiliaries, and of the mercantile marine who were killed or injured during the War. The letter first described the manner in which sufferers were made acquainted with the relief available, and proceeded as follows: "At first everyone's thoughts turned chiefly to the widows, who had lost the very mainspring of their homes, and i were left in a tragic loneliness, often , with small children to bring up, and many of them did indeed require not I only sympathy but material help, for if in addition to the shock of the terrible news, there was sickness or any special emergency the margin of income was often insufficient to meet the need, and a struggle began just when there was least strength to face it. These widows were helped by weekly allowance, by payment of expenses when posthumous confinements took place, by arranging for a period of rest or change to help them through the first dreadful weeks. Delicate children were sent to convalescent homes, or to relatives in the country; clothing was provided when necessary, and extra nourishment or medical treatment paid for. Later on, when after six months the widow's separation allowance was replaced by her permanent pension, this was often found to involve a considerable drop of income, and we were able to soften the transition by temporary grants. In cases where widows were able to think of occupation, many received training of various kinds, such as in maternity nursing, leather work, machining, blouse-making, etc., whilst for others good employment of a daily character was found in Government offices, al-; lowing them plenty of time to see after their children, and yet to supplement their incomes by earning." Numerous instances were given of special cases of relief, and it was stated that such instances could be multiplied. Provision had also- been made for the education of children who show special abiltiy. In conclusion the letter stated: — "The result of the whole work is that many thousands of people have cause to bless the donors of the Navy League Overseas Relief Fund, who have come so nobly to the rescue of the desolate families of those brave men. . . . Words are feeble to express the gratitude we feel for this generous and practical sympathy, but from the depths of our hearts, and- in the name of all the sailors' wives and families in Great Britain, we thank you, one and all, for the help and comfort and hope renewed you have been the means of" bringing to so many shadowed homes, and for all you have thereby done to strengthen the ties of understanding and affection between the Mother Country and the furthest portions of the Great Empire we all love and honour.'-' It was decided to forward a copy- of the letter to all the bodies which contributed to the fund.