PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 266, 4 August 1921, Page 7

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

WAIRARAPA SOCIETY THE DISTRICT’S V/ONDERFUL EFFORT Bv T»ls»r»nh—Sneclal Oorreipondent. Masterton, August 3. Ths annual meeting of the Wairarapa Patriotic Association was held, to-day, Sir. Hugh Morrison presiding. In moving the adoption of the report And balance-sheet, the chairman said that subscribers did not realise the amount of work done by the War Hunds Office, Wellington, in regard to patriotic sot ciety matters. This office had to watch the administration of patriotic funds all ' over the Dominion, and the head of tho Department (Mr. Davis) deserved hearty congratulations on the manner in which he carried out bis duties. The association held about £15,000 of gilt-edged securities, which until the moratorium was lifted it was impossible to realise. This accounted for the bank overdraft being so large. The association was being affected by tho financial stringency in com- . mon with other concerns. If donations i in the form of surplus wool profits were i taken into account the Wairarapa’s con- ; tribution to patriotic war funds amount’ed to well over £300,000. Thus was a .' wonderful effort oft the part of the disi triot, whose population was only 4.5,000. ‘ The motion was seconded by Mr. G. H. ; Perry, who said that very few of the general public knew of tho amount of ■work done by tho Claims Board during tho past six and a half years. ,’ Mr. AV. Welch said that tho associa- , tion’s financial position was not as rosy ■os was apparent from a perusal of the report. The association was paying 7 per cent. On its bank overdraft, ■whereas the soldiers were only paying 5 per cent, ou money lent to them. Tho association’s revenue was uncertain, for requests for v the postponement of the payment of interest and repayment of principal were becoming increasingly frequent. The ns- ; eociation had to pay interest op an overdraft of £lB,OOO. Mr. G. ('. Williams said that he agreed 'with the previous speaker that the ro- ; port did not explain the real position. ; Ho thought it would be ft good idea to I publish ft simple review of the associai tion’s affairs on the lines of Mr. Welch’s I statement. If this were done, many of | the requests coming More the Claims Board would not be forwarded. 1 Mr. G. 0. Summerell explained that a ' good many of tho mortgagees whoso time had expired had agreed to pay the cu-r-I rent rate of interest so long as the morai torium protected them. The association ! had been compelled by the Government to invest their liquid funds, so that huge ’ Bums would not lie idle; now the Govem- : ment were rather concerned because the money was tied up. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Tribute to Claims Board. On the. motion of Mt. A. J. Parton (Carterton), seconded by Mr. G. It. Sykes, M.P., the following resolution was carried:’ "That this meeting of members of Wairarapa Patriotic Association extends to the Claims Board its heartiest appreciation and deepest thanks for the able manner in which tho board have ’ carried out their work during the past ' G. H. Perry paid ft special tribute to the work of the chairman (Mr. Hugh Morrison), whose efforts, in connection ' with association affairs and the settlement of returned mon on the land ha<( been unsurpassed in New Zealand. In returning thanks on behalf of the Claims Board and himself. Mr. Morrison specially stressed the work done by the Indies of the district. Mrs. J. M. Coradine and Mrs. J. Caselberg deserved special mention. Messrs. A. P. Whatman. D. M'Gregor, and A. M'Donald were elected subscribers’ representatives on the executive. The secretary (Mr. A. E. Prentice) was accorded, a hearty vote of thanks, for his work on behalf of the association. New Chairman Elected. At a meeting of the executive of tho association held subsequently, Mr. Hugh , Morrison. *re3igned his position as ehair- . man and Mr. J. M. Coradine was aj> pointed in his stead. All tho other officers of tho association were re-elected, Mr. Morrison retaining his position as a trustee and member of the Claims Board. Mr. Morrison suggested that they should appoint someone to visit Wairarapa soldiers in the Trentham Hospital. Tho chairman said he thought the suggos- > tion was a. good one, and it was resolved to leave thb matter in the chairman’s hands.