REPATRATION

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1920, Page 1

REPATRATION

LOANS TO SOLDIERS. FURNITURE LOANS INCREASED TO £75. Representations that the maximum amounts available to returned soldier* for the purposes of enabling them to start in business and to purchase furniture be increased were recently made to the Repatriation Hoard by the executive committee of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association in the terms of the following resolutions: “That loans for businesses be increased from £3OO to £SOO, of which £IOO shall be free of interest; and “that loans for furniture lie raised to £75 free of interest, instead of £50.” The standing committee of the executive of the N.Z.R.'S.A. has now received a reply from Sir W. Fraser, chairman of the Repatriation Board to the effect that the hoard had given the representations careful consideration and in respect of the subject matter ot the first resolution desired to point out that the limit of £3OO had been fixed by statute. This could only be altered by legislation, which course the board regretted it could not see its way to recommend. In regard to the second remit, the board approved of the maximum for furniture loans being increased to £75, as desired, each application to be dealt with on its merits. In the case of men already receiving financial assistance applying for a further alvanco of £25 (free of interest) with which to purchase additional furniture, the requests would lie granted only m cases where applicants had fulfilled their engagements in respect of prior loans.