RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 33, 2 November 1929, Page 9

RETURNED SOLDIERS

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED FUNDS DEPLETED “It is extremely gratifying to find that the work of the association in its efforts to provide employment for returned soldiers, who otherwise would only swell the ranks of the Dominion’s unemployed, is meeting with such approval,” said Colonel G. T. Hall, president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, who presided at the last meeting of the executive, The remarks of Colonel Hall were occasioned by the receipt of several letters from local bodies and school committees congratulating the association on the success of its efforts during the year, to provide work for unemployed returned soldiers, and for the practical help given to that important •work, which could not otherwise have been done through lack of funds, had been carried out. This had been effected by voting to the City Council, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Petone Borough Councils, Seatoun, Eastbourne, Muritai and Karori school committees sums for work on which unemployed returned soldiers had been employed. In each case the grant had been made on the condition that the amount be subsidised by the recipients at the rate of 30s. in the £l, and that returned soldiers be employed on the work . This had in every case been done. With subsidies some £3OOO had been made available for that very deserving purpose, and the work carried out had been the provision of additional playing grounds for school children, extension of the soldiers’ plot at the Karori Cemetery. “We have other applications before us to-night,” continued the president, “but unfortunately the funds we have at our disposal for this purpose—that is from Poppy Day and Rose Day appeals—have run out, and we must perforce wait until the public makes response to the next appeals. The Returned Soldiers’ Association is under a deep debt of gratitude to the public —for without it we could not carry out this much-needed work—and I have every confidence that the future will show a still more generous response.” “Rose Day. It was reported that all arrangements for Rose Day had been completed, and that the special ladies’ committees had been working steadily for some time in making roses. Many disabled “Diggers” had also made roses, and it was confidently expected that there would be 15,000 roses and 5000 badges ready for Rose Day, which wiU be next Friday, November 8. Special services would be held at the Town Hall and in the churches on Sunday, November 10, and while there would be no special parade to any particular church, returned soldiers would attend the service of their own denomination. It was decided to reply to this effect to invitations to attend divine service of particular denominations. The allocation of the amount collected on Rose Day, recommended by the special committee appointed to consider same and report, was: Fifty per cent to the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association, the remaining 50 per cent to be equally divided between the Women’s National Reserve, Red Cross Society, St. John Ambulance Brigade, and the Wellington branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association. This recommendation met with the approval of the executive committee, and was unanimously adopted. The hope was expressed that as so many associations were participating in the benefit of the funds collected, the public would show its approval by making a liberal response, so that a record collection would be recorded in city and suburbs. The Seatoun School Committee wrote acknowledging the splendid assistance given to it by the association’s grant to enable it to carry out work which would be of great benefit to the children. Had it not been for the Returned Soldiers’ Association's assistance the completion of the playground would have been delayed. Armistice Day. Details of the arrangements made in connection with the service to be held at the Town Hall on Armistice Sunday were reported on by the secretary (Major J. T. Watson). It was. stated that as H.M.S.. Dunedin would be in port at the time a naval contingent would probably take part in the ceremonies of the day. The arrangements made were confirmed, Major Watson being commended for the completeness of same. . It was decided to make a special appeal to returned soldiers to join up with the association, which had a very strenuous year’s work before it, and required all the assistance available. The attention of returned men was directed to the splendid address made to them by His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson), appearing ih “The Dominion,” in which the returned soldiers of New Zealand were strongly encouraged to “hold together” and to achieve that end by joining up with the Returned Soldiers’ Associations.