A MIXED RECEPTION

Evening Star, Issue 23352, 23 August 1939, Page 18

A MIXED RECEPTION

R.S.A. CLUB SUBSCRIPTIONS COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION When tho question of reducing town members’ subscriptions was raised in tho report of the Finance Committee at tho meeting of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association last night a long discussion ensued, resulting in the recommendation that tho subscriptions should not be reduced going forward! to the annual meeting for consideration by the members. The president (Mr J. M. White) was in the chair, other members present being messrs W. F. Forrester. A. M'Hutchon, A. Duncan, S. G. Secular, R. Duerdon, W. K. Cameron, L. G. Hill, W. H. Thomson, G. H. Ferens, N. R. Wilson, and J. M'Knight. Having thoroughly discussed the matter of members’ subscriptions, it iiad been decided that the Finance Committee should .recommend! that these should not be reduced, said Mr Forrester, the chairman, in presenting its report. When discussion was invited, Mr Thomson said that as he understood the position, only £25 loss would be incurred! during the year if subscriptions for town members were reduced by ss. This would mean that 50 more members would have to be found to make up the deficit. He did not think any more “ bricks and mortar ” was required by the association, and thought it should) aim to provide the maximum benefits for as many returned soldiers as possible. There were 7,500 returned men in Otago, but only a quarter were members. Both Mr Scoular and Mr Forrester pointed out that the small profits of about £2Bl made last year, and in the preceding four years about £l4B, £153, £ll2, £216, were used against depreciation and repair of the buildings, and to meet the necessitous demands made for assistance. Tho association was dependent on the club for its profits, through rents and other returns. Mr Wilson thought that the 10s subscription in Christchurch, against 15s in Dunedin, had its reflection in the larger membership of the former. He thought that perhaps Dunedin could “ break out square ” on a smaller subscription. That a case had been brought to his notice where the discounts system of cash purchase had given one man more return than he had paid for membership was a point advanced by Mr Hill. While every endeavour had been made to increase membership from time to time, he thought the peak had! been reached, said Mr M'Hutchon. Ho did not consider subscription reductions would result in the groat increase expected by Mr Thomson. He said further that it would be unwise to perhaps “ cheapen ” the best 11.5. A. service in New Zealand; a small profit was required! to give tins service. After further discussion the Finance Committee’s report was adopted. AFFORESTATION SCHEME. As the men on tho Roxburgh afforestation scheme had almost completed their work, it had been decided to permit them to be absorbed in the Roxburgh borough employment scheme, with the R.S.A. to augment their salaries up to the standard they were enjoying before the change, to keep them employed. MEMBERSHIP. Four new nominations for membership were received, three outward transfers were recorded, and two deaths, stated Mr Forrester, in presenting the Finance Committee’s report. Figures in the membership campaign now were: Christchurch 2,301 and l Dunedin 1,986, it was reported. REUNIONS. Reunions were fixed for September 8 (Pioneer Hall) and September 23 (Roxburgh), while a luncheon was arranged for September 12, with Captain Shelton to speak.