R. S. A.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16507, 26 April 1919, Page 10

R. S. A.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The third aunual report of tlic Christchurch branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association to be submitted to the annual general meeting on Monday next, refers first of all'to the epidemic in the following words: — "The epidemic of 1918 brought death to many returned soldiers whose power of resistance to disease had be*- , " reduced by their sufferings of tue war. Altogether the Christemirch Association lost about sixty members. The death of the .President (Mr Harry Cotton) removed the ablest and inost popular man in the Association, ills early work had hc-Iped to found the Association securely, and his good influence upon all members was most markedJir Cotton was widely known and greatly respected' among all classes of the community, and his death wa s a ho.ivy blow to the Association. Tho death of the secretary (.Mr C. W. Green) and Mr -W. Reid —a valued member of the executive —will also bo mourned by all members of the Association. On bef-aif of tho Association the executive gives heartfelt sympathy to" the relatives of these comrades, who had. worked well for returned soldiers."

The report then goes on to speak of the foundation of tho Association, a history of the growth of the Association being given, with every appreciation of tho generosity of the Citizens' Defence Corps. Prominence is given to tho extensive* building scheme now being brought before the public, and, speaking generally, the committee records with regret a distinct shrinkage in public generosity to the returned soldier. The committee also records with regret the fact that so far only 40.per cent, of the necessary sum has been collected. Special relereuce is made in the report to the refusal, of tho Minister of War Funds to sanction the payment by the Lady Liverpool Committee of a sum of £3000 generously voted to tho fund for building tho ctub. While the' Minister maintained that he was really unable to sanction this payment on account of the provisions of tho War Funds Act, the report states legal advice obtained by the Association was to the effect that no such objection was justified by the text of the Act. As the point raised affected a number of associations throughout New Zealand, the question has been referred to the Dominion Executive, which would have the matter reviewed at tho Conference in May. Experience has proved, the report continues, tho need of extensive district organisation. The' Dominion' Execu r tivß is recommending tho annual ronference to adopt a plan which combines a right proportion of decentralisation in relation to centralisation. The idea is to have an increase of personnel in tlio Dominion Executive to permit the constitution of executive sub-commit-tees in the four centres. These subcommittees would be practically provincial executives. It is hoped also to have an organiser appointed" for each of these four districts, such organiser to be paid by the N.Z.R.S.A. and controlled B\Tthe Provincial Executive.

According to the report the active membership of the Association now stands at 2680. as against 980 at the date of the last annual meeting. Added to this number there are also twenty honorary life members and sixty honorary members. It is the ideal of the Returned Soldiers' Association that comrades' of the great war shall remain comrades to the end.

After dealing with Association matters, the report proceeds: "Time has proved that the Association was right in its protest against the scheme of four Ministers as the executive heads of the Repatriation Department. This Association, in common with others throughout.New Zealand, favoured control by one Minister, but political compromise prevailed over national principle. The Central Board has lacked vision in the field of statesmanship, and thus the District Boards and local committees have been handicapped. They have done their best under difficult conditions, but they would have

■ i tter if the Ministerial Board had been able/ to outline a definite policy. It is deplorable to have this haphazardness in the fifth year from the beginning of the war. It will be necessary for returned men to demonstrate # emphatically that they expect politicians to fulfil their promises. The amount that the Government first promised in the way of retrospectivo allowances has been increased substantially. The Government, however, has not yet complied .with the demand of the R.S.A. that this retrospective allowance shall apply to the children of soldiers. The extra amount involved is estimated at £149,000. The Minister's—reply indicates that he intends to fight the matter, and the Association will accept the challenge." Pensions, the cases of limbless men, the increase in the mufti allowance,, the official paper "Quick March," reception of returning soldiers, military funerals, and various other matters of direct interest to returned soldiers are dealt with in the report, and a special word of praise is extended to the Women's National Reserve for their kindness in supplying afternoon tea daily and concerts on Sundays and at other times. The executive also extends its thanks to the Canterbury Patriotic Fund for its sympathetic administration. The income and expenditure account for the year ended March 31st last shows a balance of £595 12s 3d. i