RETURNED SERVICES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 40, 27 November 1945, Page 4

RETURNED SERVICES

VALUE OF ASSOCIATION WORK FOR 1939-45 MEN Out of over GOO returned men from the 1939-45 war who have returned to the Ashburton Borough and County, only. about SO attended a . special meeting in the new Servicemen s Club last evening to discuss vital matters pertaining to rehabilitation, such as pensions and housing. Although ex-servicewomen were invited, none attended. Mr A.. W. White, who presided, outlined the activities of the Returned Services’ Association in general, and the Ashburton branch in particular, on behalf of those who fought in the war. just over. He stressed the benefits to be derived from membership, such as assistance with pensions and kindred matters. Old diggers of the 1914-18 war had gone to great lengths to have a worth-while organisation ready for men of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. when they returned, and had strongly backed up various rehabilitation measures while they were away. Mr ,D. 0. Wood, in a brief address, was emphatic about the value to returned servicemen of the new clubrooms for which the Association was trying to raise money. Just now, he said returned servicemen were being carried along on a wave of acclaim, and money for projects favourable to them was relatively easy to raise. Later, however, when the glamour had faded, it would be a different story, and the building would then be a good stand-by, as it would be‘possible to raise funds by letting the hall and other amenities for various purposes. Mr Wood appealed to returned men to work together to this end. An outline of the workings of the R.S.A. was given by Mr K. Thompson, who attended the last meeting of the Dominion Executive as the delegate from the Ashburton branch. Many questions were asked and answered, and various complaints were ventilated. . '