FUNDS FOR R.S.A. PREMISES

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 43, 14 November 1941, Page 8

FUNDS FOR R.S.A. PREMISES

Today’s Street Collection

WORTHINESS OF APPEAL

TO PUBLIC

The appeal of the Wellington Returned Services Association for financial assistance to acquire in Wellington and in Lower Hutt uil commence with a street collection - (lav The association piesident, Colonel C. H. Weston, K.C., yesterday that the public of Mellin,, ton had always been most generous and sympathetic to any requests made by ex-servicemen, and lie thought the) were in no mood to criticize plans io facilitating the replacing of soldiers, as far as possible, in civil life, but the association wanted its sup porters to feel that tlie appea w.u reasonable and deserved their S“PPOt . “In Wellington, we have bad no home of our own since 1931, ami though we have to thank the commacial Travellers’ Association for cliaiging us a very moderate rental, it must be” admitted' our present accommodation in Victoria Street is hopelessly inadequate,” said Colonel Weston. ‘Today the work of the association is on the level of a large business. It has no exact counterpart, and comprises many activities. All of them concern the welfare of the ex-serviceman and his wife and family. The ex-service-men themselves, who, with a modelute amount of permanent clerical staff, do this work for their less fortunate comrades, do it with no self-advertisement, lin'd the public at large hardly realize what actually is being done. lho»e who have served on the association s committees find that it leaves It t time and opportunity for any other “The dispensing of financial assistance is a business in itself. The sum of £52 G6O of benevolent funds has been distributed in the last several years, each case being examined on its merits. Over 200 patients on an average iu hospitals, convalescent homes and mental hospitals are visited regularly, and provided with, comforts. Pensions are applied for and their renewals seen to. These are only some of the association s responsibilities. Today there are 10 000 returned soldiers from the .ast war alone in our district, and they turn to ug in their difficulties, as we are the only institution that exists for their assistance, and their assistance alone. The recent creation of a women’s section demands some space, while our kindred associations, amputees, South African War Veterans, A.1.F., U.S.A. Choir, and Tin Hat Club, will be welcomed under our roof if we can accommodate them.

Offices Not Enough.

“I have been asked why a suite of offices could not serve our purpose, and the answer is this: Out of 10,000 exservicemen we have only 4000 members of the U.S.A, These 4000 men pay their annual subscriptions to help their comrades, and we have to foster tlie spirit of comradeship which is behind their desire to help. Some place where a soldier or sailor or airman and, now-a-days, u nurse or women’s auxiliary, can sit down and read a paper aud get a cup of tea, is needed. “In Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, we have not even a wait-ing-room for tlie men and women whose necessities bring them to us, and no place where we can fittingly entertain visitors from overseas or from other parts of New Zealand. Christchurch and Dunedin have had for many years their own homes provided by the public of the two cities and run on the lines I have indicated. These associations have the experience of 25 years behind them and can be trusted to follow a reasonable course and one best suited for the needs of the men for whom they are caring. “All of this applies equally to the Lower Hutt branch. By their own energies they have acquired ar freehold site and a substantial sum toward putting up the necessary building. They want help to find the balance required. “I should like to say that the friendly reception already given to our proposed appeal satisfies me the great majority of our people are determined that this reasonable appeal from their fathers and husbands aud sous and daughters will not go unheeded.” In connexion with the street collection today there will be a parade at noon. Led by the band of the R.N.Z.A.F., Trentham Military Band, Wellington Regimental Band, Fort Dorset Band, Port Nicholson Silver Band, Salvation Army Band and Boys’ Brigade Band, the following units will take part:—South African Veterans, Ist and 2nd N.Z.E.F. (R.S.A.); A.I.F. and othei* units; Trentham Units, Scottish Regiment, Home Guard, Fort Dorset units, Red Cross Women’s Transport, St. John’s Ambulance Reserve, E.P.S. Units will detail markers to report to the marshal (Mr. James) at noon, at the corner of Waterloo Quay and Bunny Street. Units Will fall in ou markers in Waterloo Quay at 12.15 p.m., marching off at 12.30 p.m. sharp. The units will form six abreast.

Acting ou the advice of his doctor. Sergeant A. C. Hulme, V.C., will not head the parade as bad been arranged The secretary aud organizer of the R.S.A. appeal, Mr. C. W. Woolley, said last night that it was the wish of Sergeant Hulme to regain his health iu order to rejoin his comrades ou active service, and the association did not want to retard his recovery.