RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 230, 26 June 1935, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS

Wadestown Social Committee Elected ANNUAL MEETING Provision was made for the introduction of greater social activity into the ■Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association 'Wadestown auxiliary when, at its annual meeting last night, a social committee was added to the list of officers. The chairman, Mr. A. B. 'WittenHannah, said that in the past they had concentrated on one phase of their activities to the exclusion of what headquarters considered should be a main one. It was intended that the auxiliary should be a permanent organisation whether there were unemployed returned soldiers or not. He read a Circular sent from the association when the auxiliaries were being formed which set out their objects. Among these was the the providing of a focal point where returned soldiers could fraternise. That had not been possible at Wadestown because the committee had been filled with busy men who had not the time for such activities. If they desired social activities they should appoint men to organise them. Referring to the work of the past 12 mouths, Mr. WittenHannah said that the greatest difficulty had been the finding of work for the men out of work to do. Every member should be searching for work. The annual report stated that out of the 130 returned soldiers estimated to live in the district, 44 were members of the association. The membership was not yet satisfactory, canvassing being difficult in a scattered district. Fourteen were on the mutual roll, compared with 1G 12 months previously. Three men had bad 27 days’ unsubsidised work and 20 were given 252 days subsidised work. The auxiliary had paid £59/8/9 for subsidised work, employers paying £B7/0/9, a total of £146/9/6 going to the men. Three men had received assistance to a total value of £•> and one had been referred to the central office. The year had closed with a small credit balance. The executive of the association was represented by Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, who said that returned soldiers belonged to the most exclusive club in the world, in which the members were men who had tried each other and respected each other, yet many were allowing the years to pass and allowing themselves to “fade awriy,” as had been said of old soldiers. They should still play their part in the life of the country and be a guide to the young manhood of the Dominion.

The following officers were elected Patron, Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon; chairman, Mr. A. B. 'Witten-Hannah; vicechairman, the Rev. F. 11. Wilkinson, hon. sec., Mr. A. J. Everett; treasurer, Mr. H. McCormick; employment officer, Mr. F. G. Yeo; committee, Messrs. H. 11. Parkinson, W. S. Ferguson, T. V. McKeown, S. Baker and H. C. Allison ; social committee, Messrs. G. T. Bould, G. Cowie, N. Galbraith. F. Payne, T l . F. Hutchinson, G. Quilter, and C. V. Geale. It was resolved to send to the former chairman, Major C. H. G. Joplin, whose ill-health had caused him to resign, a message wishing him a speedy return to full health.