H—22A

United Kingdom Bursars. —In August, 1947, a special committee was set up in London to consider applications from rehabilitation bursars in England in need of financial assistance. It is the intention of the committee to place the bursars on the same basis in relation to medical treatment as they would be in New Zealand and to assist them in other directions where necessary. New Zealand War Services Association. —This Association, which commenced activities in October, 1939, ceased operation on 31st October, 1946. It had been instrumental in setting up clubs and providing recreational facilities for thousands of New Zealand personnel. The Board is indebted to the Association for its contribution of £6,000 sterling to the patriotic funds upon its disbaiidmeut. Australia The major task of providing outings for visiting personnel and welfare for New Zealand troops stationed in Australia has now finished, though special provision has been made to render assistance to "J" Force personnel who are detained in Australia for any reason. A number of grants have been made during the year to ex-servicemen in need of financial assistance. 5. Food for Britain Of an amount of £75,000 set aside in the books of the Board for the purchase of food for Britain, some £55,000 has been spent on foodstuffs which would not otherwise have been allocated to the United Kingdom. The following goods have been purchased and despatched to the Ministry of Food, London, for distribution mainly to orphanages, institutions, old-aged pensioners, and disabled persons : 44,7881b. cheese. 38,9881b. bacon. 417,0001b. jam. 4,500 gallons Solpak apples. 180,000 lb. luncheon beef. 400 dozen bottles fruit-juices. 11,0521b. fruit-cake. 4,050 tins condensed malted milk. 9,000 lb. marmalade. 56,412 lb. beef and vegetables. 6. Future oe Patriotic and Canteen Funds Conferences between the ex-Service organizations, the Provincial Patriotic Councils, and the Board were held during the year in connection with the proposal of the Board that canteen profits be amalgamated with the National Patriotic Fund for the benefit of ex-Service personnel, and also in regard to the future policy in connection with this Fund. It was agreed to recommend that legislation be enacted to establish two Boards, one to administer canteen profits and the other to administer the National Patriotic Fund, with a common Secretariat, the Canteen Fund to be controlled by nine ex-servicemen nominated by the six established ex-Service Organizations, and to ensure co-ordination of effort and avoid overlapping the members of the Canteen Trust Board to form part of the National Patriotic Fund Board. Additional members of the latter Board to be— His Excellency the Governor-General, Chairman. The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs. One representative of each of the fourteen Provincial Patriotic Councils. Five members to be nominated by the present Board. The provincial funds to continue to be administered by the separate Provincial Councils.

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