HOKITIKA R.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1933, Page 2

HOKITIKA R.S.A.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

MR W. E. BROWN NEW PRESIDENT

The annual meeting of the Hokitika branch of the Returned iSoluieis’ Association was held last evening, when the president (Mr A. 0. Armstrong), presided over an attendance of about fitty members _ The chairman said he was pleased to see such a large gathering, tlie largest they had had, he thought. The brancn was in a very good position, the membership being 105. They had had a visit from the General becretary, and it was to be hoped that they would continue to receive visits from headquarters. Members would see that Auckland had made a decision regarding political action, and he hoped they (the local branch) would discuss the matter. He hoped they would not decide to follow Auckland’s action to adopt politics, a s he assured them that such a step would alienate a large proportion of public supporj;. The minutes of the previous annual meeting were road and confirmed. Mi- C. Hart suggested that the report be taken, as read, as members had received copies. . Mr B. Biddulph said that all members had not'received a copy of the report. • ' The secretary (Mr R, Paterson) said that a number of members had ontf joined up as recently as last Saturday) and these would not have received thp. report. ' The report and balance sheet were adoptedThe following officers were elected ! Patron, Mr D. J. Evans; president, Mr W. E. Brown; vice-president, Mr R. Appleton; executive, Messrs S. Moore, C. Hart, A. 0. Armstrong, G. Gilchrist, T. Stuart, T. Lynch, G. A. King, Thornhill Cooper, J. L. Menzies, and the Rev. H. J. W. Knights; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. Paterson: hon. auditor, Mr L. Kernahan; delegate to annual conference, Mr R. Paterson

Mr Armstrong was nominated for the office of president but he declined the honour as he said that lie had just filled the vacancy owing to Mr D. J. Evans being in failing health. The Rev. H. J. W. Knights was also nominated by Mr F. Bade for the position, but he stated that he was not really anxious for the office. He had occupied tlie position before in England, and knew what a lot of work was attached to the office. However he would not decline nomination for which lie thanked his mover.

Mr Brown returning thanks, assured members of his whole hearted support, Mr Knights also returned thanks. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring president. > Mr Armstrong, said the new president, had been subjected to.some .unpleasantness during the year, but he, the speaker, considered that was wholly unjustified. , Mr Armstrong briefly replied,. . . Mr Bade was nominated for vide-president, while eighteen nominations were received for the executive, The unsuccessful candidates for the executive were W. Shand, E. Eape, J, N. Robinson, F. Bade, 0. ©leach, B. Biddulph, T. Kerr, and W. H. ;> ; Sfcol. ’ ■ The president ar.d Mr Lynch paid tribute tp the conscientious work of Mr Paterson as secretary, and voiced appreciation at the members’ vote of confidence in re-electing him. Mr Paterson thanked members, and said that his office called for much of his time. He spoke pf work during the ? year and ‘ said that the man had not been born who could please everyone. “I have been called everything from a needle to an anchor,’’ he added. He said that much of the controversial talk had been caused by persons who wpr6‘ not members. The president moved “That this .arirJ nuai meeting 0 f the Hokitika R.gJ| re-affirms the principle contained in the ) constitution, of being non-politicui and mon-sectarian, and js of the firm opinion that any.' deviation therefrom ■will're-act unfavourably on the future of the organisation and by alienating the .sympathy;, pf the public will hinder the-efforts being made to alleviate • distress among 'returned men.” The 1 motion was carried unanimously. Among the remit s to the conference cons’dered, were the foliowing;— “That thi s branch of the E.S.A) disapproves of the running of ether than • the ordinary Sunday trains on Anzac ©ay, and that Headquarters be approached to bring the -matter before the Department with a view’ to bringing the desired result.”—Carried. That the president, vke.president, «tnd'secretary, or other officer, visit the outlying branches during the voar.” J The secretary referred to the beneficial i effect the visit of the Genera] Secretary 3iad bad in increasing the membership. •—Carried. '•That the Department of Interna! Affair be approached to inaugurate an ■art union for the relief of unemployment among px-servicemen.”—Carried. ' *Mr T. Muir brought up the question | of the .allocation of subsidised relief, ' an?! he moved that the present system of giving work be -discontinued., and that the men be given the Association’s; subsidy straight nut. j One member said that he had worked with two men whose war injuries pve- . vented them from dome a full heavy . 'dav’s work, and people had said- that ( th-tj* work Was no good. Yet these were the men who were most in need. ( Mr " Muir said the eight hours’ work j ■for 6s Sd was too long. However he fwa,s in the position when he would j hot need the subsidy, but he brought j {the matter up in fairness to other! diggers. I