PALMERSTON R.S.A.

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 198, 19 May 1936, Page 5

PALMERSTON R.S.A.

Successful Year Marked By Grooving Membership REMITS PASSED AT ANNUAL MEETING Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, Alay IS. There were about 150 members present at the annual meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Returned Soldiers Association to-night. The president, Mr. B. J. Jacobs, expressed his pleasure at the large attendance, and referred to the suecess and growth of the association during the past twelve months. After a discussion on war pensions and relief payments the following remit was adopted unanimously, and is to be forwarded to the Dominion conference at AVcllington next month: "That reliet workers’ wages or sustenance should not affect any amount granted to an applicant under the AVar Veterans’ Allowance Act or affect his disability pension. The following remit was also adopted: “That the New Zealand Government be asked to declare itself regarding, the League of Nations Coyenant by the imposition of rigid sanctions.” The secretary, Mr. W. G. Rutherford, reported that the active membership now stood at 488 with 25 at Ashhurst, making a total of 513, as against 461 last year. There were also 21 honorary members, which brought the grand total to 534, last year's corresponding figure being 452. The following officers were elected:— President, Air. B. J. Jacobs; hon. treasurer, Air. H. F. AA ilsou; hon. auditoi, Air. A. T. Bendall; delegates to Dominion conference, Air. B. J. Jacobs aud the secretary, Air, AA’. G. Rutherford; committee, Messrs. J. AV. Rutherford, A. AV. Chapman, 11. AV. Johnson. S, G. Northey, E, F. 800. A. AV. Mortland, 11. R. Alorton, G. Rennie, J. G. Crooks, and G. Procter. Annual Report. "The greatest happiness Hows from the realisation that those of our fellows who have been suffering from the results of unemployment have so materially decreased in number during the closing three or four mouths of the year, states the annual report presented to the meeting. ‘‘lt is sincerely to be hoped that this will continue. It is with pride that we can refer to the goodwill that lias characterised the attitude of these men iu their straitened circumstances, a factor that has materially assisted in their re-employment when opportunity offered. ‘■AVe must admit that, while no local association ha sheen able to assist to so great an extent, as we have, our thanks for that ability are due. to. the continued generosity of the Patriotic Society in augmenting the grants of the Canteen Trust Funds Board and the National AVar Funds Board and the National AVar Funds Council. Our grateful thanks are extended to them. "Nationally, we can record achievement in two directions. First, the AA ar Veterans Allowances Act, and secondly the Pensions Act Amendment. The former presents a few anomalies which it is hoped will be remedied, while the latter, although extending Hie limit for marriage as qualifying for pension benefits, still imposes a limit which, in (he opinion of the executive, should be abolished altogether. Land problems considered during the year have been delayed in presentation to the new Government because of the effect of the policy of guaranteed prices and wage fixation. However, it is hoped to present our policy with hopes of favourable consideration in the very near fuf tire. *‘lt is iiroposed to give a special report upon unemployment iu regard to the association's work. AVe would note here, however, that our benevolent and distress fund has had several calls made upon, it during the year, and particular al tention lias always' been given by the sub-com-mittee dealing with various cases brought under its notice. During the winter months a free distribution of firing for our unemployed members was arranged for, and our boot repairing depot was also kept working right throughout, the year. Over 500 pairs of boots were repaired.'