WAR RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 53, 26 November 1920, Page 11

WAR RELIEF

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION

VOLUME OF BUSINESS INCREASING

•The executive committee of tho Wellington War Reliof Association met yesterday afternoon. Mr. L. O. H. Tripp .presided, and there were also present:— Messrs. A. Macintosh, R. J. F. Aldrich, and C. Watsqn.

The Applications Committee reported that it 'had dealt with 218 applications . during"? the past month. "During the period October 29 to November 23, 1920," continued the report, "the total number of claims received was -102, comprising BS new applications, 150 renewals and reconsiderations; 75 claims, for which .wo aro reaponsiblo, nro still under action, and tho remaining 79 have been sent to other societies for decision and subsequent action by us. The total number of applications received bv tho committee during the year ended November, 1919, was 4327, and for the current year no fewer than -1731 were lodged. It is Apparent, therefore, that the work'of the committee has not yet attained its maximum, for although the increase in applications is not great, cases submitted during the year are much moro difficult •of solution 'as compared with those of ■past- years, it now being necessary to obtain numerous medical opinions irom our own honorary'medical advisers and tilt) Defence medical staff regarding the d*gree of war disability. Your commi.t- ---: tee has awarded 225 mufti grants, 6fi grants for tools of trade, 38 furniture grants, and in 18 cases lias paid transfer and legal expenses, besides assisting 21 soldiers in tho purchase of house pro- .• perty, in addition to many, other casee referred to tho'Finance Committee. In ..nil of these cases the committee.has helped men who were either totally or partially disabled, and in order that tho claims could be correctly placed before the committee many inquiries had to be ' made relative to the applicants' war disability and resultant economic position. A large number, of applications were received for. maternity giants, or ■which many were conceded, • as it was E' roved/that, owing to war disability, ardship would have resulted had r the .committee- declined -assistance. The nbove-nieiitioned grants are only a few of the many diverse ways in which tie com-. ■ mitteo hag been able to render assistance to ex-members of th Expeditionary Force. The number of claims received from men who have broken down in health as a result of an incipient war . disability is increasing, and the committee has in many instances awarded a weekly allowance to the wives or dependants of the m«tu concerned, pending receipt of pensions. . J .'• yThe number of claims dealt with by 'the committee on behalf of other societies was approximately 1912, and In each case the application form and minuto sheet, also the lady visitor's report, was duplicated and '. sent to the respective societies responsible for the applicant. This entails an exceptionally heavy amount of work, .whilst it is pleasing- to record that other societies throughout the Dominion have on many occasions, expressed their appreciation of the attention' devoted by the committee to their interests, and to those for whom they nro responsible." The Finance Coniiuitteo reported tnat it had dealt with 10 cases. One case, a soldier's widow, who applied for. a loan of ■;£IOO for the purchase of house property, was granted, and two soldiers loans for residences'were granted. Two applications for the same pnrposo wero declined, as were also two claims for businesses, ons of which was to be established in Sydney. Assistance was granted to two men for farming purposes, and in one instance assistance .in a business „ was granted. During the current year *the committee has granted assistance to 29 applicants for the purchase of house property, seven loans for farming propositions, four businesses, and two grants for furniture.' In the majority of these cases the recipient was suffering economic loss as the Tesult of his war disability. The above assistance rendered by the Finance Committee was additional to the number of men helped by the. Applications Committee. The financial statement showed the otal funds at October 31, 1920, to be; Investments, .655,137 18s. 9d.; current accounts, £SH 12s. 2d.; petty cash, ,£2O; . total. 10s. lid. -