WAR RELIEF FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 6

WAR RELIEF FUNDS

HELPING THE HELPERS

MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

An important meeting of tho Advisory Board of the Federation of Now Zealand Patriotic War Kelief Associations will be hold at 10 a.m. to-morrow at the Acountants' Chambers in Johnston Street. Amongst the matters to be discussed is.the question of soldiers' life insurance. On this subject tho Minister of Defence has been again urged to grant some,additional measure of relief on a similar basis to that granted by the British Government.'The Government's attitude is that before anything can be done in the direction advocated, legislative action may be necessary, and information is being collected to enable the Government to formulate such proposals as may seem necessary. At the last meeting of tho board the Minister asked for authority to uso £800 for the purpose of erecting a hall for 500 men at Sling Camp. On the matter being considered, it was decided that the work was one that should bo charged t6 Government, not Patriotic Society, funds; The High Commissioner subsequently cabled stating that arrangements had been made for ■ the War Contingent Association to withdraw fronii Sling, and for the Y.M.C.A. to undertake the work there. General Bichardson urged the immediate construction of a suitable recreation hut at Hornchurch, at an estimated expenditure of £3000, for the entertainment of the sick and wounded convalescents. Authority was given for the -erection of the necessary hut at Hornchufch, and in view of the purpose for which it is intended, the Government desires to know whether the Advisory Board considers the cost of erection a fair charge against tho Comforts for. Sick and Wounded Fund. The estimated cost is shown as £2697.

It was recently pointed out io the Minister of Defence that the Government Life Insurance Department was putting 'a 7J per cent, loading on life policies for soldiers, whilst other societies were accepting the same risks at a lower premium. The Government considers that tho rate now charged is not a remunerative onei If. those engaged at the front were covered at a lower rate than the risk actually incurred necessitated, it could only be done at the expense of the remaining policy-holders, who would suffer a corresponding reduction in their bonuses. In the circumstances, the Department does not seo its'way to mako any reduction in the rate charged. No war loading is charged on policies taken out prior to the outbreak of war, and any one who now takes out an insuranc'o policy on his life does so with a full knowledge of the fact that he will be required to pay the war loading in the event of his being called up for active service.

Another matter to be dealt with is an application by the Y.M.C.A. for a regular grant of £3000 per month for the purpose of furthering the work of that body among our soldiers abroad. Regarding this appeal a letter lias been received from Mr. A. E. Prentice, secretary of tho Wairarapa Association, .stating that if other Patriotic Societies support the scheme his society was prepared to contribute £1000 a year in monthly instalments. The Palinerston North (Manawatu) Society have also asked to be advised of the amount of their levy. The whole proposal will be discussed at the meeting of the Advisory Board to-morrow. Another matter is a. recommendation concerning the present maximum grant by the Government of £500. Tho Government, it is recommended, is to be urged to increase the maximum grant to £1000. ■: