R.S.A. MEMBERSHIP

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 213, 3 June 1924, Page 8

R.S.A. MEMBERSHIP

DROP FROM 5000 TO 500

FUTURE PROSPECTS DOUBTFUL

A somewhat serious position is disclosed in the annual report of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association, whose membership has fallen from 5000, in its best days, to a littlo over 500 at present.

“Our position demands earnest consideration from all returned men,” says the annual report. “While the objects for which the association was formed to watch—pensions and repatriation—have practically been acconi- i plished, there still remains a considerable amount of the most important i work to be done. “If we are to help our less fortun- I ate comrades, we must stand together, i Men are continually breaking down, in many cases years after discharge, when ’it is very difficult to secure recog- I nition of their war injuries. The res- | ponse to our campaign of canvassing and circulars, reminding members of their overdue subscriptions, was not worth the cost of distribution.” . I The association’s finances are in x very precarious position, and were it not for the transfer of various sums from the rent account, it would have been compelled to close down. As a means of holding its income in lino with the outgo, the committee had to lease the tea-rooms. Two of five meetings held during the year lapsed for . want of ly quorum. I The activities of the association during the year included services in connection with the institution of the ; economic pension granted by new leg- ] islation last session : securing evidence regarding attributability cases. that is. cases where death or disablement . within seven years of discharge has been caused as a. result of war service; unemployment. Poppy Day and Anzac Day, etc. The association is continuing its _ work regarding the economic . pension, and which it regards as a failure : the revaluation of soldier farms: the war memorial.