PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16821, 29 May 1919, Page 7

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

PLOT TO "COLLAR" THEM. DENIED. BY MINISTER. r (Per Press Association.) "WELLINGTON. May 28. The Minister of Internal Aiiairs, the Hon.. G. W Russell, stated to-da;r that his attention had been drawn "to. the report of the Returned Soldiers Association- meeting at Christchurch, in which the chairman said there was. ho question that the Government, or rather the Minister of Internal Affairs, would attempt to collar those funds for his own pet schemes. For instance it was suggested that they might' be used for sanitoria for consumptive soldiers.

That idea was preposterous M-r Paissell said. He had therefore telegraphed to the president 6f the Conference as follows: —: '

"(1) I emphatically deny that the Government has any desire to collar or otherwise interfere with _ patriotic funds. Its ouly responsibility is to" see that they are expended under the War Funds Act for the purposes for which they were raised. (2) No suggestion has been made "by me that 'patriotic funds might he used for sanatoria for consumptive soldiers. I shall therefore feel obliged.'' if;, you. will inform me; of your- authority for the above statement, -or in alternative, withdraw it." '..,;:«:;;;>,,'."_.;