WAR FUNDS AT, 1915.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 329, 4 November 1915, Page 3

WAR FUNDS AT, 1915.

‘ As the War Funds Act is of some portance to all persons handling moneys raised for any purpose in connection with the war. the Minister for Internal Affairs has gone to considerable pains in exhaustively explaining what the Act does provide for, so that no erne may have excuse for pleading ignorance, and he has issued these explanations in pamphlet form for publicguidance. Tim document states: — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 19th October, 1915.

Sir, —As the Minister charged with its administration, I have the honour to bring under your notice the War Funds Act, 1915: An Act “making provisiono for the administration and control of moneys raised wholly or in part by private subsreiption for purposes of or incidental to the present war. ’ ’

“War Fund” is defined by section 2 as follows:—

“War Fund” means any fund heretofore or that may hereafter be raised, wholly or in part by private subscription, for any purpose in connection with the present war; and in particular for any of the following purposes, namely:—

(a) For the relief of distress oeca- ' sioned by the war, whether in New Zealand or elsewhere in the British Dominions, or in the territory of any State allied to His Majesty, or whether such territory is in the enemy occupation or not; (b) For the equipment in whole or in part of any portion of His Majesty's Naval or Military Forces, including the equipment of any hospital ship; (c) For the supply of comforts or conveniences to members of the said Forces; and (d) For the relief, assistance, or support of members-of the said Forces who may be sick, wounded, disabled, or out of employment, or for the relief, assistance, or support of their dependents or of the dependents of members who may lose their lives directly or indirectly in or in connection with the present war, and includes any other fund that the Minister by notice in the Gazette declares to be a War Fund. National War Funds Council.

Sections 3 to 8 provide for the establishment* of a - National bVar bunds Council': the Council on being roques.ed in writing by not less than throefifths of the trustees of a War Fund must undertake the control and administration of that fund. In administering the fund the Council is required to take into consideration the recommendations (if any) of the trustees from whom the fund was transferred, or of any other persons appointed under the Act as Local Advisory Committees for the purposes of administration of sue a fund.

The Council is further empowered 1'• assist (at the request of the trustees) in the administration or investment ot any War Fund not transferred to the Council.

Administration of War Funds by Private Trustees (Sections 9—17).

The trustees of every War Fund not

transferred to the Council must furnish to the Minister a written statement setting forth:—

(a) The name of the fund; (b) The date of the establishment of the fund; (c) The objects of the fund; (d) The name, address, and description of the trustees of the fund; (e) The name, address, and description of the secretary, treasurer, and other administrative officers of the fund; i.f) The name of the bank at which the fund is kept; and

(g) Such other particulars as may be prescribed, or as the Minister may require. o These particulars must in the case of funds established before the commencement of the Act (11th October, .1915) be furnished within thirty days after such commencement, and in the case of funds established subsequent to 11th October, .1915, within thirty lays of establishment. In accordance with section 9, sub-section (2), you are hereby requested to forward the particulars above" stated before the 10th day of November. (Forms are enclosed herewith).

If a trustee dies or retires, or a new trustee is appointed, notice thereof must be sent to the Minister. By virtue of section .10 the Minister is empowered at any time to request particulars with respect to — (a) The amount for the time being of the fund; (b) The amount expended for the special purposes for which the fund was established; , (c) Names, etc., of persons to whom moneys in the fund have been

paid, and the amounts so paid;

(d) Commitments for future expend! ture; and

(e) Any other matters.

A penalty of not less than five pounds nor mope than one hundred pounds is provided for iailing to furnish information, or wilfully supplyng false information, and a further fine of five pounds for every day during which -failure to supply particulars continues. Incorporation of Societies or Trustees. Section 12 provides for the incorporation by the Governor in Council of anv society possessing a V\ ar Fund, or of the trustees thereof. Applications for incorporation must be addressed to the Minister. On incorporation the Society or the trustees, as the case may be, shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, with power tor the purposes of the said fund, but not otherwise; to told alnd. to sue and be sued, and to do and suffer all that bodies corporate may do and suffer.

binder section. 13 any person, society, or trustees having control of a. War Fund may. with the consent of the Governor in Council, transfer such fund to any other society nr trustees incorporated under this Act, but the Governor can only consent it satisfied that the incorporated society or trustees can administer the fund for the same purpose as those fqr which it was established.

Sections 14—17 make provision for

the following matters: —

| (a) Buies of incorporated societies ■ and trustee as to administration of funds. (b) Payment into a separate bank account by trustees "of War Fund : moneys, and penalises for failing j to comply with this requirement. (c) Penalties: for misappropriation or wrongful aapplication of War Funds. Expenditure of War Funds. By section IS expenditure of War Fund moneys is confined:— (a) To any purpose for which the fund has been specificially constituted. (b) To purposes incidental to the proper administration of the fund. (e) Any purpose approved by the Minister. The Governor may define purposes to which surplus moneys of a War Fund may be devoted. Under section 19 War Funds must be audited as directed by the Minister. Collection of Moneys for War Funds. Particular . attention is drawn to section 22, which reads: — “ (1.) It shall not be lawful! for any person after the passing of this Act to solicit contributions for any War Fund unless he is the holder of a permit granted under this section. (2.) Application for a permit to collect contributions for a War Fund may be made to, and such permits may be issued by, any of the following persons—namely:— (a) The Mayor of the city' or borough or the Chairman of the county in which , any collection is to be made; (b) Any trustee of a War Fund for the benefit of which such collection is to be made if the trustees of that fund have been incorporated under the provisions of this Act; (c.j Any Inspector of Police*; or (d.) Any other person authorised by the Minister for Internal Affairs to issue permits for the purposes of this section. (,'!.) Any person who,/hot being the holder of a permit under this section, directly or indirectly solicits contributions, whether in money or in kind, for or for the benefit of a War Fund commits an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds: Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the collection of contributions for a Mar Fund made by way of a general appeal at a public meeting or other assembly of persons." I attach copy of the Act in question. Kindly note that all correspondence in connection with the matter should bo addressed to the Minister for Inteinul Affairs. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Ch. AT. BUSSELL,* Minister for Internal Affairs.