RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 98, 25 April 1919, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. THE YEAR'S WORK. The third annual meeting of tlhe Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association was held last evening. Mr. C. E. Waddingham presided over a large attendance.

Mr. Dalhousie congratulated the Association on having, to all intents, made bricks without straw in preparing a report such as that submitted. The only definite thins; in it that he could see was the mufti allowance. All the rest of it was either in the air or in the balance-sheet. He regretted tht Association had not given a clearly-defined policy with regard to country organisation. He had yet to meet the man who could give him a clear idea of the boundaries of any district for organisation purposes. He alluded then to the position of the secretary of the Association, and held that he should not also a«rt as a member of the Repatriation Board, as he had all he could do in the office.

Mr. E. F. Andrews, secretary, claimed that the country organ Bation in the Auckland province had been good. If the secretary did not do !hie duty on the Repatriation Board he was not fit to be a member of the Association. He had at all times done his utmost for the interests of the returned men. (Applause.) With regard to the amount of £725 paid to headquarters, he said if the Association .would stand behind the new executive much might be done. He would point out that out of this slim £406 'had been paid to headquarters for badges supplied to this Association. The Association had done big things for the man on the land, though big things still remained to be done. It had been said that nothing had been do7ie for the man who did not desire to go on the land, but, as the result of the efforts of the Association, it was now possible for a man to borrow money to enter businese. The Association had always maintained that £300 was not sufficient for this purpose, and that at least £500 should be advanced. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Mr. A. A. Donald, treasurer, stated for the benefit of those present that since the balance-sheet had been printed lie had paid into the bank £1,150, bringing the total amount in credit, including a war loan of fSOO, to £2,320.

An announcement was read from General Sir Andrew Ruseell that he intended to take a lively interest in returned soldiers' work when 'he'eame back to New Zealand. This was received with applause.

The following officers were elected for the eneuing year:—President, Mr. G. Eliott: vice-presidents, Major G. R. FTutehinson. Messrs. J. Mellina and T. Long; secretary, Mr. E. F. Andrews (reelected); committee, Messrs. C. E. Wadflinjrham, A. C. Sexton, E. W. Inder. W. Pollock, V. Atkinson. R. Gordon, Rev. J. R. Bnrjiin, L. ,T. Garmson, M. S. Boyle, R. G. Mnson. E. Hoptroff, S. ThoVne Gcorfp; honorary treasurer, Mr. A. A. Donald: honorary solicitor. Mr. E. W. Inder; honorary auditor, Mr. Wallace Bruce.

It was decided to increase the salary of the secretary to £400 per year, with the provision that money received by him for outside work done in the Association's time shall be paid into the latter's funds.