"BEST POSITION FOR YEARS"

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22080, 30 April 1937, Page 4

"BEST POSITION FOR YEARS"

RETURNED SOLDIERS'

ASSOCIATION

STATEMENTS AT ANNUAL

MEETING

Statements that the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association was now in the happiest position in its finances and its general spirit of comradeship, that it had known for many years were made at the annual meeting held last night in the Choral Hall. The meeting was attended by about 300 members, and there were many keen discussions on a variety of topics. M . Moving the adoption of the annual, report, the retiring president, Mr, B. O. Priddis, thanked the committees ] responsible for the work done in the year. The work of the executive officers had been highly commendable.) The balance-sheet was one of the best for the last five or six years, and credit for that went to the honorary treasurer (Mr A. W. Mewton). "I do feel that we are in a very happy position financially, and otherwise," said Mr Priddis. "The prestige of the association has not been higher for years, and there is a greater feeling of comradeship -than there has been over a period of years." A vote of acclamation was carried to the executive officers and special praise was given the secretary (Mr E. F. Willcox). Special praise was given Mr Willcox for his work in assisting applicants for war pensions. A vote of thanks for his work as president for the last two years was accorded Mr B. O. Priddis, and members of the office staff, and the executive were also thanked, on the motion of the Rev. F. T. Read. The treasurer (Mr Mewton) moved the adoption of the balancesheet, stating that he considered it one of the best balance-sheets the association had had for years. The money the association had saved, he said, would be found to be greatly to the benefit of the association, because revenue granted from the Canteen Funds Board and the National War Funds Board would be less in the coming year, it was considered. A motion was carried that rules might be altered only at an annual general meeting or at a special general meeting called for the purpose—2so to form a quorum.

Bales of Association

A notice of motion seeking to change the rules governing the appointment of the president was rejected. Thr> motion sought to provide, that no member should be eligible for appointment unless he had been a member of the executive fori two years immediately preceding the year in which he sought office, or that he had three years on the executive during the last six years.

Unveiling of War Memorial

Opposition to the association being represented at the unveiling of the Christchurch War Memorial in Cathedral square was expressed by some members. The final decision, carried easily on the voices, was "to proceed to the next business," and a motion that the association "courteously decline to attend the opening" was not put to the meeting.