FINANCIAL AID

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 December 1939, Page 7

FINANCIAL AID

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S PROPOSAL RESERVATION OF WAR DEBT PAYMENT. MR H. HOOVER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN. WASHINGTON. December 5. President Roosevelt proposed that the United States should give Finland practical help by setting aside a 234,693-dollar war debt payment, which Finland announced she is making as usual on December 15 in a special fund available for the Finns when needed, possibly to aid refugees and wounded. He said the plan would need Congressional approval, which he will ask. when the House is convened on January 3. In the meantime he has directed the Treasury, which is legally obliged to accept payment, to place the sum in the suspended account pending action by Congress. Mr Herbert Hoover is establishing to co-ordinate American contributions for the homeless in Finland a Finnish relief committee, representing 40 Finnish groups, and is launching a campaign for the collection of 1,000.000 dollars for Red Cross purposes. The nonFinnish ‘‘American Committee to Aid Finland” is seeking 250.000 dollars for a similar purpose. The Finnish Consulate has granted 400 visas to Finns returning to fight. Many Americans are financing the Finns’ passages. AN ANNIVERSARY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S GOOD WISHES. (■Received This Day. 9.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON. December 6. President Roosevelt cabled President Kallio on the occasion of the anniversary of Finnish independence as follows: —“It is my earnest hope these tragic days may not be long in giving way to a happier era.”