WAR RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 114, 7 February 1919, Page 6

WAR RELIEF

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT

BALANCE OF £74,000

The annual report of the Wellington War Belief Association for the year ended November 30 states that in common with the rest of the world the committee desired to express its heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the successful termination of a war fought for tho deli verahco of the free people of the world from the menace of a military autocracy. On November 30 the. association completed two years and 11 months' arduous work in tho interests of the men fighting for the cause of liberty and justice, and of their dependants. At the inception of the association its "objects were bo comprehensively denned that no alteration in the fundamental principles of its administration has been necessary. A feature of the treasurer's statement is the shrinkage in receipts from donations consequent upon no appeal having been made to the people by or on behalf of the association. Reference to the bal-ance-sheet will emphasise the position, for it would l>e observed that the income for the years ended November 30, 1917 and 1918, was .£BOIO and .£5661 veepectively, as compared with ,£91,581 in 1916. It would also be seen that despite the slight reduction this jear in the amount necessary to meet the requirements of those whom tho association is designed to assist, yet the excess of expenditure over income paid out of capital account is for 1918 the heaviest on record; and this, notwithstanding the increased marriage allowances operative as from January 1, 1918,. and the supplementary assistance authorised hy the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board. It is, therefore., clearly demonstrated that in coneervuig its funds so far as is compatible with a reasonably generous regard to the claims submitted to. it, the committee had adopted a wise policy, for not only would the association be called upon to disburse moneys for several years after the war, hut the acme of its activity with consequent heavily increased expen. diture would occur, when it was associated with the Government in the great work of repatriation. ■ While it had occasionally been/ urged that the annual expenditure out of capital should be heavier, it would be noted that, even under the careful management to which reference had been made, a sum of had already been spent; that was to say, that in tee than three year 3 nearly one-third of tho association's financial resources had disappeared, and in circumstances under which the average amount of grants had been smaller than would be required when military pay and allowances cease upon discharge of soldiers. Assuming that an increase of 50 per cent in the euins applied for by way of grant during the next two and a half years, and that the applications made during that period should be ap. proved, and, further, making allowance for the loss of income consequent on tho decreased earning power of the diminishing investment*, the funds would be exhausted by j;he time stated, Aβ a matter of fact, the expenditure to date would, were it not for the careful exanimation of eacl? individual claim submitted, together with strict attention to the matter of refunds by other societies, have been heavily increased.

The report then goes on to deal with the subject of repatriation, settling soldiers on the land, commercial pursuits' for returned soldiors, vocational training, restoration of domestic conditions generally, educational facilities for the children, of eoldiers, allowances, grants and pensions, etc. The- association was acting as trustee, administering for the benefit of wives and children, the pensions awarded to ex-New Zealand soldiere at present in-mental institutions. The dependants drew their own pensions, but out of the soldier's pension a small reserve was being built up for utilisation sit the time he became fit again to resume civilian employment. During the year Ml meetings had been hold ■ (322 of which wero meetings of the Emergency Rolief Committee). The aver* age attendance at meetings (12) of the executive was eight. There had been no resignations from the executive.during the year, but under Rule 8, the following members retired:—Messrs. J. Lewis, J. Hutoheson, F. Manton, C. A. Ewen, and S. Kirkcaldie. All were eligible for reelection.

The committee had up to November 30 last, dealt with 5096 applications, and had authorised payment of £18,376. Of those claims 3039 were lodged during the year under review, 1379 being new cases and 1660 reconsiderations, renewals, etc. Amongst them were applications from Canadian and Australian soldiers and French and Italian reservists and their dependants. The number of applications in previous years were 3301 in 1917, and 1756 in 1916. Had it not been for the cessation (on December 31, 1917) of ad. vances against pay, the number of appli. cations last year would have passed'4ooo. From the inauguration of the association to November 30 last the total moneys received from all sources amounted to ,£105,252 7s. 2d., the sum of .£69,550 being paid over direct by the Wellington Patriotic Society, and .£19,135 to His Worship the Mayor's Soldiers, Sailors, and Dependants' Fund during the Queeu Carnival and up to November 30, 1917.

The latter. 6jim was subsequently handed over and incorporated with the-gen. eral funds of the association. The remainder was made up by contributions, members' , subscriptions, refunds by applicants, and other societies, and interest on investments. During, the same period the expenditure under all headings was ,£30,527 9s. Bd., of which £S8& 19s; 9d. had been spent during the year under review. The refunds by other societies of amounts advanced on their behalf have been fairly heavy, amounting to .£1835 15s. 4d., the.net result of the year's work, being: an expenditure of ,£3lßl Us. 10d. out of capital account. The balance brought forward at December 1, 1917 (less reserve account, irrecoverable loans, .£245, and the Waikato Art Union Trust Account, d£4GO 9s. 5d.) amounted to ■£7-7,906 12e. 4d. If to that were added the donations received during the year, .£2OO 3s. 6d., interest in investments JG2970 9s. lid., and refunds by applicants and other societies lls. 6d,, the total is ,£83,567 17s. 3d., which less gross expenditure (.£3842 19s. 9d.) leaves a credit balance\to accumulated fund, as at December 1, (of .£74,724 17s. Gd. The annual meeting of the association is to bo held on February 19.