RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 20999, 13 January 1932, Page 14

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Returned Association was held in the association’s club rooms last night Mr W. F. Forrester (president) was in the chair. Seven new ordinary and two honorary members were elected and one transfer outwards, was approved. Mr H. L. Paterson, on behalf of the Christmas Gifts t, Committee, reported that on Thursday, December 24, 720 gifts were handed to unemployed exservicemen and a staff of nine was engaged for two days. It was necessary to procure another twenty carcasses, and the Salvation Army sent along eighty loaves of bread, which it had received from the Mayor’s Committee. There was a surplus of bread and meat, which was distributed amongst various charitable bodies. A_ surplus of tea was being held, and will be distributed to needy cases. The Unemployment and Poppy Day Committee reported that for the week ended December 22, 1931, f twenty-four men were employed at Chisholm Park, the total expenditure to December 26 was £2,354 9s Id. For the week ended January 9, 1932, eighteen men were employed at Chisholm Park, the total expenditure being £2,373 6s 10d. Mr J. A; Cameron wrote resigning from the office _of chairman of the Billiards Committee, Mr L. Mercier was appointed to the vacancy. It was resolved that as many members of the executive as possible attend a meeting of ex-service men at Balclutha on Tuesday next. ■ ■

A suggestion was made by the secretary that the association consider the possibility of buying a further ton of fruit for jam-making, as the winter would be a hard one for those out of work. He also suggested that a grant from the Patriotic Association be solicited for the provision of Easter parcels.

The demonstration by the unemployed on Saturday morning was discussed at length, and several members expressed concern at the turn events were taking. Mr H. L. Paterson explained that, as individuals, the crowd was quite tractable, but as a whole they were a crowd ready to be led. There were also a few dangerous individuals who were attempting to lead them. It had been said that the men were not starving, but the way in which the men had seized on food and commenced eating it as they went down the steps from the relief depot on Saturday was proof that they were starving. Some men had no work for two weeks before Christmas, two days’ work in Christmas week and none last week. The demonstration on Saturday was due to an effort to complete the allocations before Christmas. The Hospital Board and contributing local bodies had met and forwarded a resolution to the Government asking it to provide work for the fourth week. Something would have to be done, even if it meant increased taxation. Mr A, S. Falconer pointed out that riots would occur again and again unless the Government took some action. The speaker was firmly convinced that the people, in Wellington did not realise the gravity of the situation. Mr Paterson said that the Hospital Board would have to undertake the relief until something definite was done by the Government. There were .en iii the crowd on Saturday who would have stood up against rifles and bayowas finally resolved that the president, together with Messrs Paterson and Falconer, frame a strong resolution to the Government urging it to take immediate steps to provide work for the fourth week.