RETURNED MEN’S CLUBS

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1944, Page 3

RETURNED MEN’S CLUBS

PUBLISHED STATEMENT DENIED

CHRISTCHURCH, November 6.

Statements in a Press Association telegram from Hastings attributed to Mr. A. J. McEldowney, of Christchurch, in a debate on the liquor question at the Presbyterian General Assembly, came under discussion at a meeting of the executive committee of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association this evening. Mr. McEldowney’s remarks as reported by the Press Association telegram were as follows: —“ ‘I hope the churches will work against the establishment of returned soldiers’ clubs,’ said Mr. McEldowney, Christchurch. ‘After the last war these clubs were definitely an evil in the community. The clubs worked against the morality of men and the community in general.’” The secretary of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association (Mr. L. A. McKenzie) sent a telegram to Mr. McEldowney at the Presbyterian General Assembly, Hastings, asking him to confirm or deny the report. Mr. McEldowney replied that the report was inaccurate in every detail. He had criticised only the establishment of numerous soldiers’ chips in suburbs and small districts. A letter would be sent by him to the Dominion president ol' the Returned Services’ Association in explanation. When the position was explained to the Christchurch executive of the Returned Services’ Association by the president (Mr. D. W. Russ,ell) the members agreed that until Mr. McEldowney gave an accurate outline of his statements at the Assembly it would be out of place to discuss the matter. On the motion of Mr. P. H. Wood, it was decided to defer consideration of the matter until a full reply was received from Mr. McEldowney, setting out his arguments against the establishment of soldiers’ clubs in suburban and small districts.