WAIMATE RETURNED SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22104, 28 May 1937, Page 4

WAIMATE RETURNED SOLDIERS

CHANGE IN ELECTION POLICY ROTATION IN PRESIDENCY REJECTED. A decision to relinquish the policy of making the presidency of the branch a rotating office was reached at the annual meeting of the Waimate branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association on Wednesday evening. The offices of : senior and junior vice-presidents were also abolished, only one vice-president being elected, with the understanding that he need not be elected president at the next election, or necessarily at any subsequent election. Mr J. M. King introduced the subject after Mr G. H. O. Barclay had been elected president for the ensuing year, in succession to Mr M. J. Friel. Mr King expressed the opinion that the branch should stick to one president, if he was suitable, because of his ability, and was at all times accessible by reason of his occupation and his place of residence. Mr d'A. S. Grut moved that the offices of the two vice-presidents should be abolished, saying that the branch should not go halfway in making a change. It had always been a matter of policy that the senior vicepresident succeed the president at each election, but if the good and suitable president were? found, and retained in office, it would be consistent if the committee merely elected a chairman at any meeting from which the president were absent. Mr J. L. Menzies expressed agreement with the policy of retaining a good president in office, but claimed that at least one elected vice-president was necessary. His suggestion was adopted. The election resulted as follows: President, Mr G. H. O. Barclay; vicepresident, Mr W. E. Barry; general committee, Messrs C. Smith, J. L. Menzies, A. Lyall, J. M. King, A. Kearton, A. E. Lewis, M. J. Friel, and H. C. Johnston; pensions sub-commit-tee. Mr J. A. Lash (chairman) and Dr. T. W. Wylie; auditor, Mr J. H. Lowe; delegate to Dominion conference, Mr Friel. The date of the annual reunion of the branch was fixed as June 19. Concert items were given before supper by Messrs L. West and A. Palmer f songs) and D. Jones (cornet solos): Mr S. G. Hoskins was the accompanist