RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 17953, 26 April 1922, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

ENTHUSIASTIC ANNUAL BEETIHS. AN ACTIVE BODY. Those who might look upon the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association as -laving outlived its existence would have been thoroughly convinced that this is not the ca-so had they looked into too cm> premises on Monday night on the occasion di the sixth annual mooting of the association. There was an attendance o several hundreds, which completely fillet the social hall of the club Dr rimmas Harrison (tho retiring president) being m the chair. ANNUAL RHP OUT. Tho Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, ■aid the report was a email ono consKtor-in-r the large amount of work which tho executive had put through during the past voar The main thing whicti had ti'oiibled the executive during tho year had been tho question of finance. There was one paragraph in tho report ho would bko to draw the attention of members to, and that was the paragraph referring to tho number of unfinancial members. Hio negotiation was one brotherhood to xorward tho interests of returned men and their dependents and the dependents of too {alien, and if the members who were unfinanoial recognised, this he was sure they would not be unfinancial for long Another important matter which had been dealt with was that of the canteen fund of £IIB.OOO, duo to returned soldiers. It was duo to the Dunedin Association that the canteen fund had not beep absorbed ■ l>v the Government. It was primarily die to one member of the association that this was so. and that was Colonel M Donald. He had been instrumental in showing to the Dominion Executive that this canteen fund was being used by the Government {or another purpose when it really hcbnsted to the individual returned soldier. Colonel M'Dcnald, in seconding the motion for the adoption of the report, said he did not wish to have any credit attached to his name for what he had done in connection with tho canteen fund. It was quite wrong to get the impression into one’s head that the usefulness of tho Returned Soldiers’ Association had seen its dav. It had not by any means fulfilled its obligations. There was much work ahead. Tho canteen fund question was not yot settled, and it behoved them all to fight out to a finish. There was also the vital question of bettor pensions for totally disabled men. No doubt too association had tried very hard to bring about d better state of affairs for permanent cripples, and it was hoped to achieve the end before the close of tho association’s next year. The D.S.S. Act would require to bo very carefully watched. Tins matter affected a great many members. It was spoken about daily to him. They should endeavor to get a resumption of loans under tho Act as soon as possible. Then there was the general welfare of returned men and their dependents. Some people seemed to think tho time had arrived when wo should forget there had' been a great, world war. However, wo were not in Utopia yet, and were not likely to bo there for a long time to come. So long as interest was shown in the affairs of}tho association, as was displayed that night, there would bo plenty of 'work for it to do. He could assure them that tho members of *ho executive had done really good work during tho year. The motion was carried without further discussion. , SUBSCRIPTION UNALTERED. The meeting next considered a notice , of motion : “ That the subscription to tho association and dub for active members be 10a per annum.” The Chairman formally moved the above, stating that it was a recommendation from the executive to the annual meeting. Air Morrow seconded tho motion, Mr D. G'olquhoun, in supporting tho motion, said ho thought they should have a uniform subscription. During last year one third of the members paid a subscription of 10s, and the remainder paid 15s. Ho thought their endeavor should bo to keep up the membership, and ho contended that a reduction in the subscription would do so. Mr J. W. 'Smeaton moved as an amendment : “ That the subscription stand as at present.” He said ho was the prime mover last year in having the subscription raised from 10s to 15s, one of his reasons being tho association’s taking over of the club and its increased financial responsibilities. Tho fact that a certain number had not paid the increase in subscription should not he taken into consideration. However, ho was not asking any man who could not pay the extra. 6s to do so. Last year the association had got. through practically square with the increase in subscription, and it could hardly do so jn future if the subscription was reduced. He was quite sure the bulk of tho members were quite agreeable to pay 15s a year. Mr W. R. Clarke seconded tho amendment pro forma. Mr J. M'Crac supported tho motion on the ground that he wished to sec the membership kept as high as possible. Ho contended that the 15s subscription had been most unpopular. He was also of opinion that the increase was unnecessary, and that the club would shortly bo selfsupporting. It might, bo as well to_ keep executives a little bit tight in the reins as regarded finance. Mr Clarke said he had seconded the amendment only pro forma, and was yin favor of a reduction. Ho did not think Mr M'Crao’s statement in regard to tightening tho ruins in regard to finance was fair to the outgoing executive. If the reduction meant an increase of membership, let thorn have it, aa_ the association wanted all tho backing it could possibly get. Colonel M‘Don aid spoke in support of the motion.

Mr Jas. Calder asked If, in the event of the motion being carried, was it proposed to refund tho extra 5s to tho memhem who had paid H, or would it bo credited to next year’s subscriptions. (Laughter). . Mr P. Anderson pointed out that their treasurer (Mr A. M’Hntchon), who was not present, was very much opposed to any reduction on tho grounds mentioned by Mr Smeaton, Mr Hill said members got for Ls the benefits of a club which, in the case of many other citizens, would cost four guineas or over. Tho amendment, on being put to t-ho meeting, was carried by a largo majority. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP EXTENDED. Tho Chairman formally moved the following notice of motion :—“ That all discharged soldiers who were unable to proceed overseas, and who are eligible for the provisions of the D.iS.S. Act, mid all Territorials, be admitted na honorary members of the association at the eamo rate os prevails for active members.^ Mr R. P. Jones seconded tho motion. Several members epoko in favor of soldiers who had been in camp only being admitted, but were not of opinion that Territorials should bo admitted. Mr Satterthwaito said tho dub would become much less a “returned soldiers’ club if Territorials were admitted. Mr M’Crao moved as an amendment that tho words “all Territorials” be struck out, and Mr A. J. Eoloy seconded tho amendment. Tho amendment was carried by a largo majority. The motion, as amended was then carried. DR HARRISON RETIRES. Dr Harrison thanked members of the executive and members of the association for loyal support during his term of office as president of tho association. Ho had been president for five years, and tho relationship existing between the members of the association and of tho executive had been of tho best. • He had done Iris best, in the interest of tho members of tho association. (Applause.) Ho thanked them all for tho loyal support accorded him, and said ho was practically certain tho same support would ho given to his successor, (Applause.) THE NEW PRESIDENT. Dr Harrison stated that as there was only one nomination for tho position of president—that of Colonel T. W. M’Don-nld-—he would declare him duly elected. (Applause.) Colonel M'Donald, in returning thanks, said ho recognised that in succeeding Dr Harrison he would have a hard row to hoe. On An/,no. Day there would he a. function which was being looked forward to wiih interest, and ho would like any honor and glory which attached to presiding over that service to fall on Dr Harrison. (Applause.) He congratulated Dr Harrison on the excellent services which he had rendered, nob only to the Dunedin R.S.A., but to tho cause of every returned soldier throughout the dominion. (Applause.) VICE-PRESIDENTS. There being only two nominations for the positions of vice-presidents and only two required, Mr D. G'olquhoun and the Rev. Hector Maclean were declared duly elected. THE NEW EXECUTIVE. Tor the nine members of the executive required the fallowing were nominated : Messrs E. J. Anderson, P. Anderson, A. J. Foley, D. Forsyth., P. S. Hill, It. Holt, W. Harlstonge, J. M’Crae, C. R. M’Lean, R. Fullarton, J, B. Gallon, W. H. Wood, A. G. Lecden, and J. IT. M’Nish. On a vote being taken the following were declared elected in order of preicrence.:—P. Anderson, E. J. Anderson, J. B. Calkin, A. G. Lecden, J. M'Crao. J. If. M’Nish, R. Fullarton, A. J. Foley. P. S. Hill.' OTHER APPOINTMENTS. Air A. M’Hntchon was re-elected as treasurer. Messrs Algio and Smeaton were nappointed auditors. Air C. E. Statham, M.P., was reappointed as lion, solicitor. GENERAL MEETINGS. On the motion of Air Leeclen, it was decided that general meetings of members be held quarterly, instead of monthly, as previously. BILLIARD CHAMPION. Mr A. Lindsay, billiard champion of the club for the year, was presented with tho Edward Cameron Cup, to be held for a year. It was announced that Air Lindsay also won the cup last year. ' RELIEF OP UNEMPLOYMENT. The chairman mentioned that the executive had in hand the question of urging tho beginning of tho deviation of the work of deviating the Ravensbourne-Dmiedin railway lino to relieve unemployment, and intended to send a deputation to tho Harbor Board on the subject.—lt was derided, on the motion of Air Forsyth, to indorse tho action of the executive in the matter. W.E.A. As a class for the study of economics is now being held every Tuesday night at the chib under the auspices of the Workers’ Educational Association, Air G. M’Cracken. organiser for the local branch, addressed the meeting, and asked members to support this class. CASH PURCHASE ASSOCIATION. At the conclusion of tho general meeting tho annual meeting of tho Cash Purchase Association was held, Mr D. Colquhoun presiding. The secretary presented the annual report, as follows: —“Tho year just past has been a most successful ono for the Cash Purchase Society. The close of the year showed a membership of 928—a substantial increase on the previous year. It is confidently anticipated that next year at last 1.500 members will bo enrolled. Our relations with tradespeople have on tho whole been most satisfactory, and only in ono or two instances have any complaints boon received on 4he non-payment of the discount agreed upon. For tho year ending 1923 your executive has endeavored, wherovcir possible, to give preference to returned soldier traders. Our booklet compares favorably with any other that we know of used, and is gaining favor every day with our members. Tho society hart a substantial credit- balance in band, and the annual meeting will bo asked to decide whether any charge will bo made to members for renewal of their Cash Purchase Society subscription. Tho expenses connected with the society arc very light, tho two principal items being printing of booklets and honorariums to secretary. With the balance in hand end tho subscriptions received from new members the expenses should be provided for some considerable time in advance. Tho sales of tea have been quite satisfactory, and have resulted in a profit of £-11 15s\ this being the discounts allowed on onr purchase*). It is a point for consideration whether this amount should- not be included in the canteen receipts, as tho sales are really made through tho canteen. The meeting this year is also being naked to decide whether ether than active- members of tho association should be. admitted as members of the society.” The report was adopted. It was agreed- that the widows and dependents of deceased soldiers should be eligible for membership; that no charge bo made for renewal of subscription; and that the tea profits should bo shared with the canteen.