RETURNED MEN’S CLUBS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 November 1944, Page 8

RETURNED MEN’S CLUBS

STATEMENT WITHDRAWN HASTINGS, November 7. “We have had a number of telegrams from various branches of the Returned Services’ Association regarding this matter,” said the Moderator (Mr T. C. Brash) at the Presbyterian Assembly when Mr A, JMcEldowney (Christchurch) was given leave to withdraw his whole statement regarding the liquor question, in which he made reference to the establishment of soldiers’ clubs. The Moderator expressed regret that the words complained of, though used in the course of discussion, had been isolated from the remainder of, Mr McEldowney’s speech, and so given cause for misconception. Mr McEldowney, when withdrawing his statement, said: “When I saw the remarks attributed to me regarding returned services’ clubs I denied them, as I at no time intended to charge the clubs with being an evil influence, and as working against the morality of the community. However, subsequently all the members of the Press table assured me that I said what was stated. If so, I ask leave to withdraw the remarks, because they did not convey my intention, as was shown in my subsequent remarks which were not reported. I praised the work of the Returned Services’ Association and it is because I have no wish to retard its work that I withdraw the whole of my statement. I hope, as I said in the Assembly previously, that all returned servicemen who are members of our church will take an active and constructive interest in the association.”