RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLIV, Issue 60, 5 February 1918, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

\ CLUTHA DISTRICT BRANCH FORMED. \ HEADQUARTERS -AT''BALCLUTHA. -In response to an advertisement calling a meeting of returned soldiers and the public for the purpose of discussing the advisa'bleness of forming a branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association at Balclutha Pi-returned men met in the Council Chambers on Saturday evening, but with the exception of the Mayor the public, as Lieutenant-colonel Grigor remarked, was conspicuous by its ab- . sence. This,. however (the chairman stated),was ouly to be expected. Unless personal invitations were given it was usually found that the public did not turn out. But it must not be forgotten that many big things had small beginnings. He (the speaker) was glad to see so maiiy of the "old boys" present. It would soon be found' that allthe returned men in the 'Clutha Recruiting District would join in. Where men had been together for any length of time there was always a bond, and when they had been through what most of the returned'men had experienced—"the bond of over the top"—there was all the more reason that a lastingassociation should be'formed to keep in memory what had been done and what their comrades who had made the supreme, sacrifice had done. It might be said by some that the formation of a Clutha branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association was premature, but that''was not so. Other places had acted similarly, ami it was better to start now before others cut the ground from under their feet. It was the job of those who had got home first to light the (ire and get the kettle boiling. It was right that an associa-. tion should be formed for the men who returned from the war. OBJECTS OP THE iASSOCIATION, lie (the speaker) wanted the public to- know that the association would not be in the nature of forming a 'military caste. The first job was to get rid of the war, and then as the men.came back to get them into civil occupations. That-was one of the main planks of the association. The work that would be done at present would be of a preliminary nature —when all the men had returned it would be time enough to consider what the activities of the association would be. In time he (the speaker) was confident that all the associations throughout the country would unite and take a leading part in the government of the country. The part they would take would be on the same principle as that- which actuated them when they went out to the battle front. PUBLIC SUPPORT WANTED. Continuing, Lieutenant-colonel Grjgor said he would suggest that the Mayor call a- public meeting to decide what ought to be done in the way of establishing a lasting memorial'for the men who had fought in the war. 'He "did not waut it to be thought that the association would demand rights for the men, but rather to show that there was a duty to the soldiers and to see that they were placed in as good positions as they vacated. 'Every man must get his due—must get justice and fair play. He would like someone to move a resolution asking the public to support the association. : Mr L. Barrett said he was sure the association would receive the support of the public. The Returned Soldiers' Association was not an association that interested returned men alone. There were law homes that, would not have a special interest in. the association, as nearly every home was represented either directly or indirectly at the war. He would move: "That the Mayor be asked to support the formation of the association, and call a public meeting to decide .what steps be taken to cooperate with the association in raising - the means to produce some permanent memorial of the' war and the part taken ■in it by the men from the district." Mr ,1. F. Walsh, in seconding the motion, said that public support was necessary, as the association could not [be run successfully without outside assistance. They must cater for the men yet to -return, and with the assistance j of the public this could be 'done. Lieutenant-colonel Grigor stated that | iu the rules 'that would pro'bably bo adopted provision would be made to admit honorary members. SUPPORT PROMISED BY THE MAYOR. The Mayor stated that he'considered the formation of a branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association at Balclutha a step in the rigdit llireetion,' The citizens of Balclutha would be pleased that the association'had been formed. He (the speaker) would call a ; public meeting, and he would suggest, that a committee of returned men attend and explain the objects of. the association. Whatever the public might do in the way of assistance would be small in comparison"" with what had been done by the men who had -fought in the war. He thought it was a good thing to get in early in forming the association, a's any requests for assistance that might.now be received from other > centres would be returned with the reply that we had our own association to support, (Applause,) Continuing, the Mayor- stated that a very large amount of money had beeu collected for war purposes, and he was confident that generous support would be accorded the local branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. He would give the association all the assistance in his power, -and he wished it every success, [ The chairman thanked the Mayor for his rcmarJcs, and stated that he was 1 sure that the objects of the association hajl only to be placed before the public to ensure hearty support. Mr B. J. Arthur then moved: '-'That . a branch of the ■Returned Soldiers' Association be formed, at Balclutha, to W

called the Clutha District Returned Soldiers' Assb'ciation." This ,wa's seconded by Mr Allison and carried unanimously. , . The chairman- suggested that they form themselves into an incorporated society, which would give them' a legal standing. The speaker said that the society wsfc bound to grow, and probably later Kaitangata, Clinton, Owaka, -etc., would require separate meeting place's, and might form sub-associations or committees of their own. The whole activities of the association could not be centred entirely at Balclutha. Mr Gerald Sinclair (Owaka) said that he thought that close on ISO returned men residing between Romahapa and the end of the line would join, the association. Mr Walsh then moved: "'That the Clutha 'District Returned Soldiers' Association be registered- as an incorporated society." This was seconded by Mr Haggitt and. carried. RULES' AiDOPTED. " The question of rules ■ was then discussed, and the rules of the- Dunedin Returned'- Soldiers' Association were read. It was decided on the motion of Messrs Walsh and Blaikie to adopt these with one or two minor operations. ELECTION- OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The following' office-bearers were elected: President," Lieutenant-colonel Grigor;, vice-presidents, Sergeantmajor H. W. Carver and Mr R. J. Arthur; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. F. Walsh; executive committee, Messrs G. Sinclair (Owaka), H. McAllister (Owaka), X Hislop (Stirling), L. Bar'rett, W-. Blaikie, J..Gold, E. 1"'. Allison •and'T. Lyall; auditor,'Mr Carroll. Vacancies, have been left on the committee to enable Kaitangata to be represented. An offer from the Balekitha Club to dispose of the-furniture and fittings of ' the chili room was accepted subject to suitable arrangements in regard to rental being made with the landlord (Mr J. Begg). A general discussion followed on the ways and means' to raise funds, and a number of suggestions were made, the principal being the holding of a Paddy's Market and a bowling and tennis carnival, the latter suggestion being subject to the approval and assistance of the clubs mentioned. It was hoped ultimately to raise the sum of £SO-00 to erect a permanent memorial of the war. It was i decided that the annual meeting of the association be held iu February of each year, the accounts to 'be closed on January 111. .