YEAR'S ACTIVITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 11

YEAR'S ACTIVITIES

INCREASED MEMBERSHIP

ADYAXCES MADE

Financial members on the roll of the Wellington branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association at the end of the financial year, March 31, numbered 1364, as against 1310 last year, an increase of 54, says the report to be presented at the annual meeting on Wednesday, May 27. Poppy Day was held on April 18 and resulted in a of £1002 lls Id, - a substantial, increase on the takings ■of last year. Rose Day was held on Friday, November 1. Helpers made over 20,000 roses, and-these were sold, bringing in £543 3s 4d. This amount was divided between the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, St. John Ambulance Association, Red Cross Society, Women's National Reserve War Graves Section, and South African' War Veterans' Association. . The report deals fully with the fitting observances-of Anzac Day and Armistice Day. . ...•;' HELPFUL SCHEMES. The board set up to deal with the N.Z.E.F." Canteen and Regimental Fund in 1920, states the report, had received a total of £150,000, which has since earned in'interest £135,000. Since the beginning of 1931: the N.Z.R.SA. had been granted £78,000, which had been expended in relieving distress amongst returned soldiers and sailors. Referring fully to the-National War Funds Council of New Zealand, the report states in connection with unemployment relief that since the council accepted the responsibility monthly grants remitted, to 58 patriotic^and returned soldiers' associations throughout the Dominion have totalled over £85,000, besides assistance to the Flock House scheme. ■ ; "The desire of the council was to build up a strong financial position," says the report, "so that patriotic societies could be assisted when their funds had been .expended, but unfortunately the demands have been such-that expenditure is greater than income, and it may be found at no distant date that certain district societies will still be functioning while-, the National Fund is exhausted." ' The activities and progress of the Flock House scheme, which ■ allows of the training on the 8621-acre farm in the Parawanui-Rangitikei district of sons of New Zealand soldiers, are outlined. At December 31, 1935, 270 soldiers' sons had been admitted as trainees. The cost per trainee is £50, plus special clothing, but with subsidies from the Government and from other sources the net cost to the.son of a disabled or deceased soldier is £.21 17s lid. .'.'.. . : TRENTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS. Scholarships, numbering 305 with an annual value of £3406 were awarded during, the year, making a grand total of 3593 scholarships of a total value of £64,288 17s since the inception of this scheme.. - ;. ' ' . "The Limbless Soldiers' Association is complimented; on rtlie manner in which it so closely 'watches the in-terests-of its members. One .of the vital questions that concerns them to,day is the finding of' employment for unemployed limbies, and. with this in view.representations were made to.the late Government," says the report. "The trustees of the National Memorial Carillon have been approached with a view to finding employment for some of these men, and members of the W.R.S.A. executive are endeavouring to further these applications." The balance-sheet of the association shows assets of £13,585 17s lid, with accumulated funds of £377 4slod. '