DOMINION'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1915, Page 5

DOMINION'S PART.

PATRIOTIC FUNDS. CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. A cojiil'VMico between representatives of patriotic societies throughout New Zealand and Mr. Russell (Internal Affairs), Mr. Allen (Defence), ami Mr. Herdman (Discharged Soldiers' Information Department) is Swing held tu-dny. Mr. Russell said that' patriotic .societies had raised a total of £892,154, of which £272,000 was for wounded soldiers, £358,000 for British, Belgian and other relief funds, and £202,000 for olhcr ftnuls. Since then other amounts had been subscribed, till, at the present, the funds totalled over £1,000,000. Taking the funds as raised liy districts the amounts were as follows: Auckland £125,239 (apart from the present effort to raise £250,000), Taranaki £22,180, Hawke's Bay £40,900 (now bein# increased), Marlborough £14,324, Nelson ;C20.120, Westland £59,5, Canterbury £145,374, Otago £300,4:13, Southland £28,000 Wellington £185,480. Mr. Russell said he wished to clear up the impression that the Government intended by means of the War Funds Act to collar the patriotic funds. There was no such idea in establishing the War Funds Council, which holds" its first meeting this afternoon, its object bein" to secure cflicient administration. ° The conference dealt with questions relating to the functions of and "the expenditure by patriotic societies. The first matter was supplementing the allowances for wives of married soldiers where necessary. The broad principle was affirmed, also proposals to assist parents of others depending wholly or partially on soldiers or sailors, to assist and provide comforts for the children or soldiers so that none may suffer from the absence of their parents at the front, and additions to the incomes of soldiers, whether on service or discharged, where necessary. *