ELUSIVE WAR FUNDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 46, 29 January 1916, Page 4

ELUSIVE WAR FUNDS.

Within the near future the people who

have given some hundreds of thousands of pounds for the benefit of woun-

ded or sick soldiers and their dependents will (says the Wellington Evening Post) be able to form an opinion of the stewardship of these increasing funds. In accordance with the provisions of the War Funds Act. the Minister of Internal Affairs is requesting the numerous societies to furnish the following information: d) The amount of money received; (2) the amount expended on sick and wounded soldiers; (3) the amount expended on soldiers not classed as sick or wounded, upon hostels and clubs, or in any other ways for the benefit of the soldiers ; (4) the way in which funds had been invested, the interest being earned, and the amount of money lying uninvested. The complete replies should reach the Minister before 17th February (the date for the opening of another conference). Indeed, there is no reason why the figures should not bo available within a few hours. In this case Mr Russell unquestionably lias a strong body of public opinion on his side. Some members of Patriotic Societies may be disposed to resent the Minister’s request as a piece of “officious interference,” but the people who provided the money should not share that notion. Mr Russell is acting on behalf of the contributors as well as the prospective beneficiaries. Any delay in the presentation of the facts desired by the Minister will bo unfair to the soldiers and to the general public. The time has come for New Zealand’s people to press for a worthy national policy with the large funds raised for the State’s defenders.