WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 63, 14 March 1919, Page 6

WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION.

LONDON ACTIVITIES. iFroin Our .Special Correspondent.) LONDON*, January 10. At tbe monthly meeting of the New Zealand War Contingent Association Executive Committee it was reported that the club's committee was still serving a very useful purpose, and tbe clubs were very popular with the men. The report of the Hospitality Committee showed that over 11,001) men were entertained during the month of December. The following report was submitted hy the chairman, which was adopted: " On behalf of the Realisation Committee, notices have been sent to the landlords at Torquay and Ewshott as regards terminating the leases. Negotiations are proceeding to effect the most advantageous compromise possible. A notice has aiso been sent to Mr. Phelps, and he has been asked to agree to a monthly tenancy for all or any part of these premises as from July 1, which lie lias agreed to. As the committee was unable to arrange a lease or purchase (if the site of the Brockcnhurst Club, so :is to secure a full price, it was decided to accept the offer of the higher Educational Committee of £500 for the building as it stands. The contents are being tillered for sale by auction on the 22nd inst. Tenders have lieen called for the purchase of Mahutonga Club, Horn-i-hurch. These are to be given in by the end of tho month. Negotiations are alHo proceeding for the removal of Te Arquanui Club, Oatlands, to Walton, as Oatlands will be closed about tbe end of February. Tho Boscombe Club is not thp property of this association, 6o the contents have merely to be disposed of, and steps are being taken to effect this. The cinema which Sir James Mills donated fur the tiso of tho engineers whilst stationed there is in all probability to be installed at Walton. As Codford will not be closed for some little time no action has yet been taken in regard to the two clubs there. It was intended to close Ewshoft on the Sth instant, and all the necessary steps had been taken to effect that purpose, but the military authorities rang up and urged that the clubs should be kept open until at least the end of the month. This was agreed to. It is proposed to dispose of the furniture and equipment by auction at an early date after the club has been closed. "In regard to the demobilisation of the staff, etc., I have prepared a list of our present workers and their length of service. Those who have been longest on the staff have been written to and asked if they are prepared to stay on until the last of the troops leave. Those who have agreed to do so will have priority of employment. New Zcalanders will also have priority over paid workers. I have seen many of the staff, and without exception, they all acquiesce in this arrangement. "As regards the authority passed at the last meeting of tbe Hospitality Committee to provide comforts for the men returning to New Zealand, I might state that I interviewed General Richardson, and be considered that half a crown per man would be ample to provide the schedule of comforts that was submitted. This sum included a donation in cash to each O.C. to provide, say, .-30 for prizes and £20 for fruit for each transport. I propose, with the consent of General Richardson, to appoint each O.C. on the transport our representative, and will arrange with him to hand over any game, etc., which might have been supplied, to our representatives at the port of disembarkation. (1 propose asking authorit}- to make some such suitable appointment.) There are approximately 112.000 iit men to be repatriated, so at half a crown per head this represents a sum of £4001), which spread over eight months, represents £500 per month. T may say that there are ample funds to carry out this work, without having to make any ■ further appeal to the Dominion. "When the payment of £1500 is made ! for December and January, I am of opinI ion that then* will be after realisation of | assets sufficient money to carry on with I till the end of June." 1 suggest, therefore, that the Finance Committee be entrusted to examine the financial position, and if deemed advisable to c.ible to the Government suspending remittances."