MONEY FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1919, Page 6

MONEY FOR SOLDIERS.

IM^ENGBiiEMITTANGS^SCHBMEWellington,; May 13. As most relatives of soldiers know, there is generally a cabled request for a remittance when the soldier geta his final leave in England prior to embarkation. A very large sum of money is being sent to England in amounts usually ranging from £lO to £2O, and when the cables recently became congested, great dissatisfaction arose among the New Zealanders in England owing to the delay in securing answers to their requests. Consequently, the High Commissioner in London with the concurrence of the Hon. the Minister of Defence, made an arrangement with the Pacific Cable Board to accept at Government rates a daily cable from the Staff Paymaster, N.ZJI.F., in London to the officer in charge of war expenses, Wellington, containing requests by New Zealand soldiers to their relatives in the Dominion to send them money. By "packing" the cable in this way, great economy is obtained in cable charges, and it is possible for the Boldier to get his request cabled for at a minimum of delay and cost.

Since the scheme started at the end of February, nearly 1500 requests for remittances have been dealt with, i The War Expenses Department in Wellington, on receipt of a "packed" cable, advises the person to whom the request is addressed by a telegram signed "war expenses," stating the channel of remittance. If the addressee is in or near Wellington, a letter is sent. In every case advice is despatched from Wellington, on the same day as the receipt of the cable, this may involve working the staff overtime. Relatives who send their money through a bank pay the usual cable charges, etc., the flat rate of ten shillings per remittance being imposed when the money is sent through the War Expenses Branch, Wellington. Relatives when sending money should understand that it is essential for them to quote the full name and number of the soldier in their telegrams and letters in order to ensure that the money reaches the right person. The rapid growth of this system adds another important "side-line"" to the many duties of the Defence Department undertaken convenience of the soldier and his" relatives.