PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17552, 23 April 1919, Page 5

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

THEIR CUSTODY DISCUSSED

ACTION BY MINISTER

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, April 22

The Hon. Russell made a statement regarding the custody iof patriotic funds to-day, in the course of which he stated that the SolicitorGeneral, to whom the matter had been referred for comment, had forwarded an opinion that the statement made by the Minister in vetoing the suggested transfer from the Lady Liverpool Fund of a sum for building a returned soldiers' club was a correct summary of the local position. The Minister further stated that in accordance with the advice of the Solicitor-General, instructions bad been given to the War Funds Office to prepare a complete schedule of all war funds consisting of over £10,000, showing the objects for which they were raised, income for the last financial year, amount spent on the objects for which the 9 fund was established, and the credit at the close of the financial year. The Minister said there was no desire on the part of the Government in any way to interfere with the control or management of any fund provided the' objects of the fund were being given effect to by the trustees. Where, however, as in the case of the Lady Liverpool Fund, the purpose for which the fund was established had ceased to exist, a responsibility was laid on the Government. The Government had every wish to see these moneys were held for the men and their dependants for whom they were subscribed.