Where Then is the Money ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 56, 9 March 1944, Page 4

Where Then is the Money ?

At the last meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce a member raised the question concerning the War Damage Fund which possesses a credit of £3,404,768, as certified by the Auditor-General. This information was made available through a question in Parliament some few days later, of which more anon. The original question asked was: “Where is the money invested and how would it be made available in the event of a national disaster?” Following this the speaker at the Chamber of Commerce meeting added: “I tried to find out, but the man I approached said lie did not know, and my own opinion is that the fund does not exist.” The reference to the fund not existing implied in this ease that there was no particular or specific sum of money lying ready for the emergency. It has been learned also that the person approached for a reply was one whom it was reasonable to believe would have a knowledge of the fund. The question was raised in the House by Mr. J. Hodgens, member for Palmerston North, in an urgent question to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s reply consisted of an attack upon anyone daring to raise the question. But the Prime Minister did not reply to the very question raised, despite the fact of his having been provided with a most appropriate opportunity to inform the public upon the Subject. After all, it is not the Prime Minister’s money and it is the public’s money. So now we must respectfully ask of the Prime Minister an explanation of where lies the £3,404,768 which he quoted as certified to as being in the credit of the War Damage Fund. Is it invested along with countless other millions in the usual run of New Zealand Government securities ? Is there any arrangement whereby the fund could be used to provide, say, £2,000,000 upon a sudden demand to meet a national emergency? “Going up in hot air” does not constitute an answer to consequent questions such as these.

Lima Sack Charge When lime sacks were under discussion at a meeting of the Mauawatu provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday, it was decided to protest against charges made by some companies and urge that all sacks should be supplied free of charge if returned within a reasonable time.

Fire in Coal Shod The Palmerston North Fire Brigade was summoned yesterday afternoon to an outbreak in a coal shed owned by Ur. It. Hooper, situated at the rear of his Broadway surgery. The shed was damaged and coal and a wheelbarrow burnt before the fire was suppressed. The cause is unknown.