RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1922, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

DISCHARGED SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENT. The annual meeting of tne Auckland. Returned Soldiers" Association was held iin the <'oneert Chamber of the Town Hall last eveninp. Mr. E. TV. Tuiler presided, and there was a fairly good attendance of members. I The annual report and balance-sheet I showed that the membership to date was 4086. and. although this was a considerable decline In figures compared with the previous corresponding period last year. It must be borne in mind that, owin™ to the i financial position of the Dominion (which • redounded to every indiridiiail. znauy members who had been In a posUJLon tio iBHOTi their subscriptions. At the saaie time ii was to be regretted that many of the raemI bers woo had been in a position cor euew had not recognised their obligations. Xevertlieless the work of the Association had been carried on for the heneflr of all returned soldiers and their dependents. Dnr.ins the last year they had lost throusa ■" death f<o members of their Association; notably Sapper H. Moore-Jones, whose heroic"death at Hamilton hi endeavouring to save the lives of others was worthy vi the recognition of every soldier. In every, case the Association had taken part in funeral arrangements, and floral tributes had been sent to relations. The eoldiws. in Avondale end Tokanni Mental Homes had been visited at periodical Intervals, and comfort* supplied by th c New- Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross and Order of St. John had been distributed. Jsfe Association Tiad compiled .1 list of aH taole, who had t>«en recommended by loial Lead Boards for assistance under the riischarp>4Soldiers' Settlement Act. but whose applications had not received the' approval of the Minister of Lands. These numbered about 80. anil th P Association was pressing the claims of the men. In many caaee Rreat hardshrn had been experienced, as deposits had been paid, timber placed on the eronnd. and dwellings started. As the result of the Association's representations a number of cases had been adjusted. They had been asenred by fbe Prime Minister that as soon as the financial porttion of the Dominion improved tee operations of the Act would again come" into force. Periodical visits had been Baid to the T.B. Huts and Evelyn Firth Home, intl tte inmates -were well sat—•fled 1 with tßeir '•onditions. The hntments at the Domain and Kins George's Hospital at RotornataS now passed to the control of the Health ■Denartment. During the year tee Disabled Soldiers' Committee met, and bad obtained several concessions. The club In Albert Street had now tieen open . for twelve months, and bad been well patronised. In spite of the fact of the reduced memhershiD the Association was in * sound financial position, there oelnir ft ■balance of assets over liabilities of £221S 15 7. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were, elected:— President. Sir. E. TW Inder; vice-preelr dents. Messrs. A. C. A. Sexton. A. Carr, A. T,. Xutent: hon. treasurer. Mr. A. A. 1 Donald: hon. solicitors. 'Messrs. Inder ao4 Metealfe- auditor, Mr. W. 8. ■Tooper; executive Messrs. W. "VFavprill. K. F. Andrews. V. T. Dibble. H. IT. Greviiio. C. 13. Hamlen. I*. Lloyd. -I. A. I»e. T. 8.- ---: tinier. W. Potter. J. p. ReM. C. ?. Reid, and F. G. Yonnpr- delesates to district con- ; ference. Messrs. T. Lone. A. C. A. Sexton. F. <i. Tovms. E. F. Andrews, and T. ?. Miller. A votff of thanks wa« cassed t" rlw Mayoross nnd thosp ladies who assisted ■ with the sale of nopnies. : It was decided to hold a general meetins 1 nf the Association at Devonport on May 1 25. The Association snnnortei] a proros.il . that the sum of £-0.000 he allocated f *>!n ■ the Canteen and Resrimontn! Tmst Fur* ; for the purpose of providing work 'or nn- > employed returned soldiers aTiri , reli"' for necessitone ca«es of deceased RoIdiP"S widows and dpoendents: also that the T»OTit)v Day fundß he added, and an endeavonr be made to obtain a Government ■ subsidy. I -