AID FOR SOLDIERS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1935, Page 4

AID FOR SOLDIERS

POSITION OF CANTEEN FUNDS. J. GRANTS TO BE CONTINUED: ' By Telegraph—Press Association. ~ Wellington, Last Night.. , The annual balance sheet of. the N.Z.E.F. Canteen and Regimental Funds Trust Board was produced at a meeting of the board. It disclosed that total funds of £179,080, a reduction of £9758 compared with the previous year. The income for the year was £8355 and expenditure was £18,175, including £lB,OOO by way of grants for the relief of distress among returned soldiers. .. During the last four years the capital of the fund has been reduced by £29,672, | and the annual report states that with the statutory reduction in interest rates the continuation of relief grants at the present rates will mean the extinction of the fund in approximately 10 years,' a fact which is causing the board some concern. Reports. from various R.S.A. centres received Ey the board indicated generally that notwithstanding the slightly improved economic position there had been no material reduction in the numbers of unemployed returned soldiers, and the future prospects were not bright. The board decided to continue its grants at the present rate of £l5OO a month, and in so doing expressed the desire to strike an even balance between the present and future needs of returned soldiers. " ' ' •' ?<