H.—22,

6

During tlie year an advisory board, comprising the Publicity Officer, the General Manager of the Tourist Department, the Commercial Manager of the Railway Department, and the Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, was set up to discuss overseas publicity matters in order to avoid overlapping of effort which may have arisen had the various Departments operated individually. Publicity matters in the United Kingdom were greatly augmented during the year by a full-page advertisement appearing in the London Times and also in the Financial Times. Wak Funds. In furtherance of the policy which has been maintained since shortly after the conclusion of the war, four Patriotic Societies were closed by transfer of funds to the provincial centres ; three were closed by disbursement of funds ; and two funds, being Returned Soldiers' Club Building Funds, were brought within the provisions of the Act. It is hoped to make further progress in the carrying-out of this policy of amalgamation of the smaller funds with the provincial centres, which will eventually enable a uniform basis for the administration of relief and assistance to be formulated. Excluding the funds held by the National War Funds Council, the sum of £1,238,160, as shown by the latest returns, is held by eighty-four societies operating under the provisions of the Act, as follows:— £ a . d . 33 incorporated societies .. .. .. .. .. 947,177 5 8 11 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. .. .. 184,790 19 11 3 Blind Soldiers'or Veterans' Homes Fund .. .. .. 39,603 7 7 16 administering societies .. .. .. .. .. 5,472 1 8 5 Memorial Funds .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,292 12 4 2 Navy League Funds .. .. .. .. .. 5,756 3 11 10 Returned Soldiers' Clubs and Building Funds .. .. 47,896 0 1 4 Social Funds .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,171 8 11 84 £1,238,160 0 I £ s. d. National War Funds Council .. .. .. .. 113,065 14 9 Funds with High Commissioner to be transferred to the National War Funds Council .. .. .. .. 8,615 6 11 Funds held by the Treasury . . .. .. .. 31,737 14 9 Although the funds held by the various incorporated societies and Red Cross organizations are relatively a large sum, it should be noted that a large proportion of the assets are represented by loans to soldiers, disabled soldiers' homes (Red Cross), farm property (Sheepowners' Fund), and other fixed assets. Through soldiers breaking down in health, having bad luck, or through their reduced ability, it will be easily understood that a proportion of the loans will eventually require to be written off. The National War Funds Council, although functioning by statutory power, desired to be incorporated and to have a common seal. Accordingly legislation was enacted by an amendment to the principal Act providing therefor, and more definite powers were given to enable the Council to accept and administer any gifts or bequest for purposes for which a war fund could be established under the Act. The amendment also provided for the extension of the powers of the Supreme Court, with a view to enabling the definition of new purposes for funds raised for objects which have been fulfilled, or have become incapable of fulfilment, or which for other reasons require definition. The legislation further provided that the patriotic funds in the hands of the High Commissioner in London should be definitely brought within the provisions of the principal Act, and provided for their transmission to the National War Funds Council upon request by that body. This has been preferred, and the High Commissioner has been asked to arrange for the transfer, less a sum of £500 which is to be retained by him as an imprest account for the relief of New Zealand ex-soldiers in the United Kingdom. Funds raised for the establishment of returned soldiers' clubs were declared in 1918 to be war funds, but several such clubs were acquired without necessary approval under the Act. The trustees of these clubs have been advised of the position, and arrangements are in hand to bring the properties formally under the provisions of the Act. During the year certain sums, raised for war-funds purposes, but which, through changes in trusteeship or for other reasons, had lain dormant for a considerable time, have been transferred to the provincial organization, or are awaiting decision as to disposal. Many Imperial ex-soldiers have settled in New Zealand, and the National War Funds Council accepted the responsibility for the assistance granted to these man and their dependants. The United Services Fund, England, forwarded a sum of £3,000 through His Excellency the GovernorGeneral for the relief of such cases. The first occasions on which application to the Supreme Court under the 1918 Amendment Act for decision regarding the purposes of war funds became necessary occurred during the year. They were those of the Hawarden Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Belgian Relief Fund and the Hobson County Committee of the Auckland Provincial Red Cross Campaign. The personnel of the administration of the Patriotic Societies has undergone very little change since their inception, and the desire to promote the welfare of the soldiers is evidenced by the keen interest which is still shown by those concerned. Close co-operation has been maintained with the National War Funds Council during the year, and the assistance and consideration given to the matters placed before it is much appreciated.