IMPERIAL WAR VETERANS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 87, 7 January 1926, Page 10

IMPERIAL WAR VETERANS

WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS With a view to linking togc-hcr and assisting all those who have rendered service for the cause of peace and goodwill an organisation known as the Imperial War Veterans’ Association was inaugurated last August at Palmerston North, which is to be the association s headquarters for New Zealand. This body has as its patron the GovernorGeneral (Sir Charles Fcrgusson), and as its Dominion president the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates). The organisation has an exceedingly wide scope, being for the benefit of all Imperial men—Army. Navy, and Air Force—the Red Cross nurses, the V.A.D.’s, and all those men who were retained for home service throughout the Great War. . A considerable amount of interest is taken in the proceedings of the New Zealand War Funds Council, to which tiie Imperial authorities have from time to time rcmittedjmoney for the assistance of Imperial returned men in the Dominion, whilst the council has reciprocated by forwarding remittances to the High Commissioner to be distributed amongst New Zealand ex-service men who are in the Old Country. It is an aim of the War Veterans’ Association to establish a labour bureau to secure employment for cx-Impcrial soldiers, and to render assistance in the matter of obtaining suitable accommodation. Not onlv does the organisation desire to assist defenders of the Empire from the Old Country, but it is at all times ready to lend a hand to any similar body, such as the Maori War Veterans’ Association, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and anv other society that exists for the benefit of those unfortunate men and women who are suffering from the effects of the European or previous wars.

It is, therefore, no wonder that with such a diversified scheme of operations the Imperial War Veterans’ Association has met with gratifying support since its inception. At the present time the membership totals 80, Mr. F. J. Watty being the president. Members of other organisations formed since the cessation of hostilities have expressed their good feeling for the association, and in the near future it is anticipated that the membership will be considerably augmented by the enrolment of 'war veterans from the Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, and other districts. New Year Work Begun. On Tuesday evening a special meeting of the committee was held at the Hall of Commerce Chambers, Broadway, Mr. F. J. Watty presiding. Lieut. G. W. Dempsey, Messrs. T. H Crowe, R. D. Kelly, and M. G. Birchlcy (secretary) were also present. It was decided to hold a picnic and sports gathering at Ashhurst on Anniversary Day. A previous proposal to enter a senior Rugby football team for the coming season was approved, together with the entry of a team of Soccer players, who will also compete in the senior grade. With a view to providing for the comfort and convenience of members, the committee has been negotiating for the purchase of a suitable club room, and matters are now reaching finality in this respect. A building has been selected in Church Street East, and a series of entertainments arc to be held in order to raise the necessary funds for its purchase. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the committee to go into these matters.