WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 202, 21 May 1919, Page 5

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION

AND THE. TRENTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME. A new scheme has been launched by the 'i'rentliara Scholarships Art Union Committee., This scfteme. is to secure donations [rom wealthy societies ond individuals' ror tae purpose of educating a number of children and establishing theni in professions. The cost is not to exceed £1000 for each child, and the children's fees, board, and all living expenses, are to be paid right up to the completion of their studies. ' Recently an appeal was made to the Wellington ~ War Relief , Association, which has in hand at present funds amounting to over .£70,000. It was suggested that a sum not exceeding A'SOUO trom this fund should be donated, making this association responsible for the complete education of three children of soldiers. When this proposal came before the Association Committee, objection was raised to donating money in such a cause, as there might be more imperative need for some other purpose later.

It seems strange, remarked a nepre- ! ecntative of the executive, that wnen a splendid scheme like the Trentham Scholarships Fund calls for assistance there, should be hesitation in allowing a small proportion of the very considerable moneys in the hands of the association to be applied. Tho cash was subscribed by a generous public long ago, to he expended during l and immediately after tho war upon soldiers and their dependants. Surely it" is time, said the committeeman, that some of this money was disbursed, and if applied to the scholarships scheme tho soldier's widow, his children, and the State generally will be definitely, benefited. If other and more serious "needs' should, arise later, then surely it will be possible to raise funds to meet tlieso needs. If tho public of this country find in the course of the coming months or years that the money they have subscribed is insufficient to do tho just thing by New Zealand's soldiers and their dependants, then tho public will not be backward in providing more money for such purposes. With a. definite and splendid 'objoet awaiting support,'it seems unnecessary to hold the purse-strings so very tightly on account of problematic future contingencies.