19

H.—22

VI. REI'OIM' QF OFFICER IN CHAIiG-E, WAR FUNDS QFFICE. War Funds Office, Wellington, 18th June, L 920. As a result of peaoe being declared i( was found necessary early in the year to take steps in Hie direction of closing the accounts of purely collecting War Funds organizations which had no further scope for their activities, and to arrange for the transfer of the funds in hand to the central provincial association* controlling the granting of relief and assistance to soldiers and their dependants. The arrangement has generally given satisfaction, and, except in the Wellington Province, where numerous incorporated societies bad been established, the hulk of the available moneys has been placed under the control of the principal provincial organizations, which supply their subsidiary brandies with funds for local distribution by way of imprest. The question of rearrangement of the Wellington District incorporated societies is in the hands of the Advisory Board, and a mutually satisfactory arrangement is expected. The Red Cross Funds are being similarly treated, and are held by the Dominion Executive, Wellington, and the sub-centres at Auckland, Wellington, Christchu'rch, Dunediu, and lnvereargill. At: the -ilst March, 1!)2(), then; remained .'i2(> approved War Funds operating within the Dominion, whilst eighty-nine sub-branches of the Red Cross centres are still carrying on their aclivities. The latest statistics available show that at the 31st March, li) 2(), the cash and assets of the existing War Funds amounted to £1,507,058, made up as follows :- £ Incorporated societies ... ... 1,019,744 Other War Funds not incorporated ... 63,170 lied Cross and St. John Ambulance Funds 224,531 Women's League and Parcels Funds ... 20,677 Church and Social Funds 81,642 Sundry other funds 97,294 Total ... ... .£1,507,058 The total funds raised by patriotic effort during (lie war period accounted for by this Office approximate £5,700,000, an average of about £-1 18s. /ii-r rn/ii/n; £1,488,803 of this amount was remitted for overseas funds. Gift goods shipped by the Internal Affairs Department for the comfort of New Zealand troops and for New Zealand hospitals abroad were valued at £557,536. There remains in i he hands of the High Commissioner for New Zealand at the -'{Ist March, 1!I2O, an amount of £56,695 which is in excess of the overseas needs for which the money was raised, and arrangements have been made with a view to having the sum returned to the Dominion, to be administered for the benefit of relief and assistance to soldiers and their dependants. In October last a. comprehensive scheme , for dealing with the position arising in connection with the surpluses held by societies at the end of (he war was laid before the executive committee of each approved War Fund and sub-centre of the British lied Cross and Order of St. John, who were requested to make recommendations as to Hie disposal of their funds. The suggestions were dealt with on their merits, and resulted in the proposals being brought to a conclusion satisfactory both to the contributors to the funds and the executive oliieers of the societies concerned. The outstanding feature of the year's work has been the heavy claims for relief of soldiers and their dependants; and, though each society has been governed by its incorporated rules, much attention has been given to the safeguarding of sufficient funds to meet prospective claims for men for assistance who, now apparently well and not in need, owing to flic nervous strain of active service may break down in health in after-years. With a view of meeting such contingencies practically every incorporated society has earmarked a portion of its present assets. The funds at present available are safely invested in accordance with the provisions of the War Funds Act, the average rate of interest exceeding 4 per cent. National Wah Funds Council. At the close of the financial year ending .".Ist March, 1920, the National War Funds Council had a credit balance of £37,494 (is. 8d i , included in which is a donation of £5,000 received from the War Office Cinematograph Council, London. The personnel of the Council has been added to by Mr. H. 11. Holland, C.8.E., of Christchurch, and Mr. .1. J. Clarke, C.8.E., of Dunediu, ex-Mayors of the cities mentioned, who have been valuable members of the Council since its inauguration. In connection wit]i the bursaries granted to relumed soldiers who through war service had their University courses interrupted, it may be mentioned that eighty-three men were able to avail themselves of the privileges afforded them by the Council, which assistance has been much appreciated by the students. In view of the fact (hat the Repatriation Department made arrangements whereby all educational grants should be deal! with by that Department, it is only in very exceptional cases that fresh bursaries are granted by the Council. Much good work has been done by the Council during (lie year in connection with providing relief and assistance to soldiers ami .their dependants, and the Council still continues to control and administer the following funds which were handed over to them : Westlaml Patriotic Committee; Buller Sick and Wounded Soldiers Fund; The Public Service Sick and Wounded Soldiers Fund; The Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Mercantile Marine Fund. Geo, Davies, Acting Officer in Charge. The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington