WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 114, 31 January 1918, Page 3

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION

j MONTHLY MEETING. | A meeting of the War Relief Association of 'Wellington was held yesterday. There were present Messrs. L. 0. a. Tripp (chairman), A. Macintosh, A. K. Atkinson, C. M. Luke, J. Lewis., , E. J. Colley, and G. Shirtcliffe. i The report of the Finance Committee showed -the investments of the as- ! Bociation to be £74,723, and the cash in j hand or at bank £527. The income for the month was £613 and the expenditure £710. Following was the report of the Lielief Committee: — "The committee met on nine occasions since last meeting of the exceiii five (December 12, 1917), and dealt | with 312 applications. In the number ! of -applications being made, at present there appears to bo but a yery sma 1 reduction consequent upon the amended scale of allowances coming into operation as at January 1, 191 S. Probably the full effect of the increased rates has not yet been felt by soldiers dependants, but it may safely be assumed, nevertheless, that unon mobilisation of the first draft of the Second Division wo shall receive numorous requests for financial assistance covering the four or five weeks immediately subsequent to the husband entering camp. The question of hiatus in income as at cessation of civil pay and receipt of allotment and allowances by the soldiers' dependants is an important one, and the Executive Committee is therefore requested, as per agenda paper, to consider this matter. We are receiving a large number of applications for civilian clothing, and correspondence in connection with the 'attitude adopted by kindred societies and the Heturned /-Soldiers' Association is also placed/before the coinmitteo for its consideration. Arising out of cases recently before committee is the question of our liability in regard to tho burial of returned deceased soldiers, with the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion as to the adequacy thereof, regulations recently drafted by the Dofence authorities have been placed before the executive. Representations have been made to the Hon. Minister of Defence concerning the position of 'kdependants- domiciled in New Zealand of Imperial Reservists called up for service. AVc have requested that separation and children's allowances at amended rates shall be granted tho women and children concerned. .Provision having been made in the Pensions Amendment Act, 1917. to bring up the New Zealand rates to Imperial pensions granted to such reservists and their dependnnts. wo trust aw representations will be fa'-onrnblv considered ny the Hon. Sir James Allen, K.C.8."

Aii appeal was received' from Mr. Irvine \\. ltaymond, chairman of the New Zealand War Contingent Association in London for financial assistance for purposes specified. Mr. .Raymond pointed out thai, the moneys received by the association were mostly earmarked lor sick ami wounded soldiers, but moneys were needed for men who were well in England, and also to assist the llegimental Funds of units. It was suggested that AVellington should provide for Wellington units. The meeting was of opinion that the purpose was a proper one, but fiy its constitution the War Belief Association could not subscribe 'to it. It was decided that the chairman be authorised to bring the matter before the Lady Liverpool Fund, or some other fund in Wellington. 'The proposed scale of relief adopted by the Christclmrch committee was before the mooting. Under this scale it is proposed to grant relief to assist persons on. the hnsis of lire-enlistment income no to £8 a week. The scilo was referred for consideration to the Belief Committee, to which committee Vr. Macintosh wns fn>; ilii.* mirpow added ns a "onresontativc of the Finance Committee.

It was decided to request the Defence Tloinrtmcnt to pav fe v eost o f funeral of nvw returned soldior riving within twelve months efter discharge from the forces. The T)ptvHroont pt present will not roro"iiis? 'iahiliU- if rl-nth o""iir< more than sis month. 1nfler onli^"' n nt.