RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 20959, 25 November 1931, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the executive of tho Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last evening, the president (Mr W. F. Forrester) being in tho chair. The death of one member (Air John Matheson) was reported, and a resolution of sympathy with tho relatives was carried. Seventeen new members wore elected.

Tho Secretary reported that the Dunedin Association was leading the Christchurch Association in tho membership “ race/' the members being 1,070 and 1,067 respectively. Tho Unemployment and Poppy Day Committee reported that owing to lack of funds tho committee had recommended that Poppy Day work should cease about December 23, except for men not eligible under the No. 5 unemployment scheme. The third round of Poppy Day work would bo completed on December 20. Thirty-nine men had been employed at Chisholm Park for the week ended* November 14, and twentysix men had been employed there the following week.—The report was adopted. The Christmas Gifts Committee recommended that only those men whoso names were on tho association’s disabled list and, special cases of men in hospital should receive gifts. There wore not sufficient funds to provide gifts for every man in need of assistance, hut every effort would ho made to help those who had fallen on bad times. Scores of returned men in Dunedin were practically destitute, and nearly 700 returned soldiers were seeking assistance at the relief depots.— After some discussion the Chairman pointed out that it was the duty of tho association to provide parcels for every necessitous case or to subscribe towards the fund. Ho did not think tho sum of £SO was excessive, ami lie was in favour of leaving the matter in tho hands of Mr Paterson, who had a complete knowledge of the position.— It was resolved that Mr Paterson ho authorised to make a discretionary grant up to £SO to tho mayor’s fund to provide Christmas gifts for cxservicemen.