WAR RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 28 June 1919, Page 8

WAR RELIEF

MEIiTIA'G OP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. '

The Exocutivo Committee of the Wellington War Belief Association met vestoday, Mr. L. O. 11. Tripp in the chair, lhe Finance Committee reported that tho expenditure for the month'of'May had amounted to Jil2tis, and the revenue to .£621. The funds in the hands of the association totalled .£71,227,. this including investments and cash, at the bank. The committee approved of a ftlriher contribution of it'sß as tho association's share of the contribution to regimental funds for tho month of July. This was expected to be tho last payment as far as ( troopg in Britain were concenied. lhe Applications Committee reported that; it had met on nine occasions since last meeting of the, Executive Committee on May 28, mid dealt with 501 applications, an average of 112 per week. The total number of claims received between the period June l-2(i inclusive was 523, comprising 270 new applications and 253 renewals and reconsiderations. Of these 75 cases were still under action, and most ot them would be dealt with by tho committee at its meeting on !Mondav. next. "The average number ■■of''claims dealt with por week during the last three weeks is 120, or 08 per meeting, anil it will be seen thai; the work of vour committee is still increasing," said* tho committee. "On the daily average of new claims received, the number of applications from dat.o to June :)0. inclusive, would be 110, and the total number of claims lodged during flio current month would be 553, considerably in excess of all previous figure.-*. There is a steady increase, month by month, in the number of applications .submitted by men who havo resumed civil life,- but suffered a break-down in health, directly attributable to their military service, occurring from one to two years after discharge. In a still larger number ,of claims it is

more difficult to trace the illness to war orvieo; but it is clear that for some time

to come applications of this nnlnre jvill require a considcra.blo amount, of. attention by your commit tee, which regards fhoin with the utmost sympathy. <ui<l consideration. The work of your committee is now <» varied that it is almost; impossible to refer to it within the limits of this report, but tlio practical utility of its assistance to tho soldier and his dependents, whilst awaiting completion of their claims for major assistanco by the State, or in many ofher direction's too numerous to mention, is exemplified by the large number of letters of lhanks and appreciation for immediate Assistance, so vitally necessary to them, addressed to it by those concerned." Tt was .decided ■ that, owing ,to severe pressnre ; .of work, tlie association would not receive applications on Saturdays.