PATRIOTIC SOCIETY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19626, 21 October 1933, Page 22

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT. During the year £IOOO was made available for unemployment relief. In co-operation with the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association, and its sub-branches end with the Waimate, Temuka and Geraldine Associations, states the annual report cf the South Canterbury Patriotic War Relief Society which is to be presented at the annual meeting to be held at the end of the month. Capital has L.en heavily encroached on, but the claims of all disabled soldiers have received sympathetic consideration and in every case given assistance on their merits. The relief grant had been expended by way of wages for supplementary relief work under the control of the Returned Soldiers' Association. This extra work had been the means of giving some 300 unemployed returned soldiers (many of whom were disabled) an extra two days a month, during the worst period of the year, and had ensured the provision of the bare necessaries of life at a time of treat need. Increased unemployment assistance from the National War Funds Council was gratefully acknowledged. The total expenditure on relief for the past two years and the present year was;—General relief (grants) £IO9O/9 7 (1933), £1354 10 5 (1932); unemployment relief (wages) £4ll, 9 2 (1932). It would be noticed that the general relief for the year showed a reduction of £264/0/10 compared with 1932, and this was explained by the substitution of unemployment assistance. The activities of the Society during the year had been much assisted by the co-operation of the Returned Soldiers’ Associations throughout South Canterbury, and close liaison work had assured the maximum assistance in the care of disabled and unemployed returned soldiers. The following statement showed the operation of the Society in loans granted to returned soldies since Inception:— Total loans £12,327/10/9; loans repaid £9287/8/7; written off £IXSI 11 7; balance owing £IB7B TO/7. Of the balance owing £IO2B 16/3 was considered doubtful and had been provided in the balance sheet for further probable losses. The funds of the Society now stood at £6660 71, including £5250 (face value), 4 per cent. New Zealand Government stock, and loans to soldiers taken into the balance sheet at £849/14/4 (to-day's valuation). The Government Stock would be sold as required. Management expenses at £l7O/15 - were the same as last year, and general expenses were higher by £2 73. Thanks were due to kindred Patriotic Societies throughout New Zealand Governmental Departments and officers for valued assistance during the year. The management committee held four meetings during the year; branch committees, twelve meetings and the claims committee twentysix meetings.