WAR BELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1920, Page 7

WAR BELIEF.

POSITION IN TARANAKI, PAYMENTS BEING HELD UP. POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER APPEAL. The possibility of there being a shortage of-"funds available for payment to disabled soldiers was discussed at tlie meeting of tlie Taraunki Provincial War Relief Association, held at Stratford yesterday. The chairman (Mr. W. P. Kirkwood), in placing the present financial position of the Association before members, stated that it would probably be best if the Association now decided to make grants only in cases of 40 to 100 per cent, disability, leaving the 20 to 40 per cent, cases for some later time, when more money was available. He pointed out that commitments and applications for assistance (on estimation) totalled £IG,OOO, and the Association held securities representing £12,500. Of the securities £IO,OOO was represented by loans to soldiers, and this sum might not be easy to convert into cash. There was also £2OOO ot accrued interest on war loan certificates, but this money would rot be available until the certificates matured.

He considered it would be necessary for the Finance Committee to eee the bank and arrange for an advance on the securities held. Approximately £I7OO had been paid out on 20-40 per cent, cases. In advertising for the 20-40 per cent, cases, a big number of 40-100 per cent, eases had come to their notice, considerably altering the calculations. The scheme of payments to 40-100 per cent, cases had been adopted in September last year, and grants had been made over a period of six months before the question of granting relief to 20-40 per cent, eases was first mooted in April last. After taking flie accounts at March 31, 1920, an estimate had been prepared allowing only £7OOO for 40-100 per cent, cases, but the bulk of these cases had not come to hand until the end of May, or after the first applications from, and grants had been made to, the 20-40 per cent, cases. The decision to make grants to the 20-40 per cent, cases was carried at the annual meeting held on May 20. There had always been a difficulty in getting a list of to enable the Association- to calculate" the amount of money required. Applications generally dribbled in, then there was a rush, and when it was thought they were all in another rush would commence. The Association held war loan certificates, but these were already held by the bank as security. The £IO.OOO ioaned to soldiers would be repaid, but the last of the money would not be repaid until 1023. He did not think the Association could make further payments until more money was available, but after making arrangements with the .bank they could make payments oti account in 10-100 per cent, cases. The 20-40 per cent, cases would need to stand over in the meantime. In reply to a question by Mr, Atkinson, the secretary (Mr. W. Power) stated that the securities now held by the bank totalled £14,500, face value at maturity of bonds. There was also an additional £I3OO in debentures. The secretary said that the repayment of soldiers' loans had been satisfactory, and a sum of £1375 was available from that source. Mr. Atkinson cxpresesd the opinion that the Association could be sure of paying ofl per cent, of the claims in the 40-100 per cent, cases. The chairman concurred with this view, but stated that they could not guarantee to pay the rest. They would make payments as soon as money became available. Mr. E. H. Young was of the opinion that the 20-40 per cent, cases should not be forgotten. He favored the whole of the cases receiving payments on*account, and suggested that a time limit should be fixed for receipt of applications. The chairman did not agree with the suggestion of a time limit, but Mr. Larcomb supported the idea. Mr. Stevenson said it seemed to be necessary to reduce the amount of the grants. Either that or there must be a further appeal to the public for funds. The chairman remarked that if the public subscribed another £SOOO the finances of the Association would be quite sound. Mr. Young thought there would be still another crop of applications coming in, and it was absolutely necessary that the Association should have something definite as to its obligations. He moved that applications for assistance not received a week prior to tlie next meeting be not considered until cases already in hand and applications received before the date aforementioned, have been considered. Mr. Atkinson seconded, and the motion was carried without opposition. The Association decided to make no further payments in permanentlv disabled cases at present, the Finance Committee to report at the next meeting on tlie result of their Negotiations with the bank. It was explained that the resolution would not affect commitments alreadv made. Mr. Stevenson said the Association coiild well do with a further £IO,OOO, which would make the finances thoroughly sound. The chairman remarked that if money was wanted it could be raised easily by a big art union. Mr. Tosland did not like the idea of an art union. He thought a rich province like Tnranaki should be able to subscribe £3OOO or more without an art union. Mr. Atkinson suggested that until the Finance Committee had. interviewed the bank, the matter of holding an art