PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 17 October 1919, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

| LARGE SUMS BEING HELD. I | The disposal of the residue of the I largo amounts collected by various patriotic societies was the subject, of a question to the Minister in charge on Wednesday by Mr G. W. Russell. The . cx-Miuister pointed out that some of these societies held enormous amounts, and had paid out a comparatively sniall portion of the money subscribed. In one case the society at present held £311,000, while up'to March 31st last it had spent a little over £IOO,OOO in relief and comforts. Another holds £IIB,OOO, and had spent, about altogether. He hoped the Government would consider its responsibility to tho soldiers by seeing that these funds were not hoarded now that the soldiers' had returned. He suggested also that some provision should be made respecting the Red Cross funds. He thought the Government should settle., the. exact relation by law of the Red Cross funds to soldiers, and introduce legislation giving the Returned .Soldiers’ Association at least partial control oyer these funds subscribed for the benefit of soldiers and their dependents. Mr Hine replied that the Government was giving serious consideration to the future of these moneys. It was realised that the money had been collected for the benefit of soldiers, but there was also a great body of people who had subscribed the money, to whom a duty was owing, and the whole question ol' future allocation of these funds was receiving very serious attention.