£5,000 Set Aside to Aid Returned Men

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 393, 29 June 1928, Page 12

£5,000 Set Aside to Aid Returned Men

NATIONAL WAR FUNDS RELIEF OF DISTRESS (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Having disbursed £9,283 in relief for distresed ex-service men, the National War Funds Council still has the sum of £160,302 in hand. For the aid of unemployed returned men during the current year £5,000 has been set aside. The thirteenth annual meeting of the National War Funds Council was held to-day. Reference was made to the position, of the East Coast Maori soldiers’ fund, now under the administration of the native trustee, and the opinion was expressed that, considering the efficient management now evident, that eventually the fund would show a surplus which could be utilised for the benefit of Maori soldiers. The report regarding assistance to Imperial ex-soldiers showed that relief to the extent of £2,128 8s Id had been disbursed, an increase of £428 2s lid over last year. This question was discussed in detail, and the opinion expressed that, as the grant remited by the United Services fund had been expended, and that the responsibility of caring for these men was inclined to become heavier, the executive should make every effort to secure a further grant, and that Earl Jellicoe’s services in this respect should be sought. The return covering grants to district societies for the relief of ex-sol-iders in necessitous circumstances, due to unemployment, was reviewed. The amount disbursed to 23 societies totalled £4,885. The opinion was expressed that this type of relief had been of great benefit to returned men and, though it was held that the conditions prevailing this year were considerably brighter, it was resolved to expend a further £5,000 to assist returned soldiers who are unfortunate enough to be unemployed. This assistance will be rendered through district societies. Comment was made as to the general relief disbursed. which totalled £9,283 ISs 3d. The chairman, Sir John Luke, M.P., referred to the strong financial position of the council, stating that the total funds now stood at £160,302 8s lid. The income and expenditure account showed a surplus of incomes over expenditure of £33,944 11s lid due to the transfer of balances of patriotic funds. Notwithstanding the fact that relief of £9,383 15s 3d had been disbursed, and depreciation of £629 2s allowed for, the surplus was very satisfactory.