RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1936, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSN.

GREY BRANCH MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Grey Branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, last evening, Mr. O. McLean presided, in the absence of the President, Mr. A. H. McKane, over an attendance of 40 members. The annual report, as follows, was read and adopted: “Your Executive Committee met regularly and attended to all matters placed before them, in a very practical manner. Anzac Day commemoration service was carried out very efficiently at the Town Hall, by the Ministers’ Association and the clergy at the Catholic Church. The public, by their large attendance, showed that they are ever ready to show their appreciation of the sacrifice made by our fallen comrades. The visit to the cemetery that day served to remind us of the number of ex-service men who have passed on during the last fifteen years. The numbers have increased from five in 1922, to just on fifty th.s year. We extend our deepest sympathy to the relatives of those ex-service men who have passed away during the year. The usual Armistice Day ceremony was carried out. His Worship the Mayor, Mr. W. Meldrum, and other representative citizens placing wreaths on the Cenotapgh. Your Association was represented by Messrs. O. McLean, T. P. Ryan, and A. H. McKane. This year has again demonstrated the neeti for an organisation such as ours, to deal with pensions, as 53 disability pensions were dealt with. We were successful in 20 cases or nearly 40 per cent, of the cases dealt with; this is a big increase from last year’s figures. An important amendment to the War Pensions’ Act was brought down by the last Parliament, known as the “War Veterans’ Allowance Bill.” This covers all New Zealand men who saw active service in the war zone. It entitles them to an allowance if suffering a disability, not necessarily due to war service, which prevents them from obtaining and maintaining a permanent position with an income sufficient to maintain self and dependents. In commenting on the above, we wish to thank Mr. Joyce, local Registrar of Pensions, who has handled all applications for veterans’ allowance. We notice with satisfaction that the members of the War Pensions Board have not qualified for “running shoes.” The Hon. Minister for Pensions (Mr. Parry) has said that it is not intended to interfere with the War Pensions Board. Our membership is 232. We show a small decrease (four) on last year’s figures. This is a disappointment as we anticipated reaching the 300 mark this year and I regret to have to say that I feel it is due to the better economic position that is prevailing. Many who received benefits from the Association during the past four years seem to have overlooked the matter of their subscriptions this year. Sub-Associa-tions have all carried on throughout the year, and their assistance is greatly appreciated by the Executive. The sales of poppies were better this year than for many years, which was due to better organisation, and we have to thank the local Women’s Institute for the sales, also for their help in running a shop day which netted £4O. During the year, 23 visits were made to hospital patients and 127 patients visited and provided with comforts .(which is 40 less than last year). The balance sheet will show our financial position to bp still on the wrong side of the ledger. The amounts received from the Canteen Fund were expended off orders for food, clothing and the like and in subsidising wages paid by citizens who were good enough to give employment of odd days’ work to unemployed returned men. For this we thank them. In conclusion I have to thank the Press

and all others who have assisted us during the year, and Messrs. Ryan (secretary), Bring (assistant-secre-tary), Herring (treasurer), and the Executive members.. 1 tender my personal thanks for their loyal support during the year."

POPPY DAY RECORD. The secretary (Mr. T. P. Ryan) reported that Poppy Day sales were in the vicinity of £5O, a record. The President gave his usual attention to the hospital. Unfortunately, Mr. McKane was at present ill. and could not attend to his philanthropic work for a few weeks. He was, however, glad to report that Mr. McKane was improving in health, and would be with them again in a few weeks. He thanked all who had helped the Association during the year, particularly the Press, whose columns were always open to the R.S.A. Referring to pensions, he thanked Mr. J. E. Joyce, the local Registrar of Pensions, for his assistance to veterans, he having handled all the cases under the War Veterans’ allowances. It was decided to thank the N.Z.R.S.A. for its efforts in getting the war veterans' pensions put through Parliament.

The balance sheet of the Lake Brunner Sub Association was received as satisfactory. It was decided that the Association be commended for the way in which the money was expended.

Votes of thanks were accorded the outgoing executive, and other officers.

The election of officers resulted: — President: Mr. A. H. McKane (reelected); Vice-President: Mr. O. McLean (re-elected); Executive Committee: Ven. Archdeacon Jermyn, Messrs. T. Jones, G. Gilbert, G. Batty, H. Trouland, T. Crankshaw, J. C. Dixon, R. Marley; secretary: Mr. T. P. Ryan (re-elected); assistant-secretary: Mr. W. Pring (re-elected); treasurer: Mr. H. Herring (re-elected); hon. auditor: Mr. F. M. Dennehy (re-elected); hon. solicitor: Mr. F. A. Kitchingbam (reelected). z The new committee was recommended to set aside a definite date each month, for the Executive’s regular meeting.

It was resolved that a Runanga remit, in connection with Imperial Pensions be forwarded to the annual conference of the New Zealand Association.

The sale of Anzac stamps was left to the local Executive. It was decided: that Mr. A. H. Wilde be thanked for his assistance in organising the Anzac concert; that the Executive be recommended to place one wreath on the Karoro Cemetery gates, at future Anzac services: and that a letter be sent to the President expressing best wishes for a speedy recovery from his illness.