RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1014, 6 November 1917, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

allegations ’against soldiers FURTHER CONSIDERED. An executive meeting of the Palmerston North Returned Soldiers’ Association was' held last evening. Present: Colonel Ale 1 Donald (chairman), Captain Maedonnell, j and Messrs AleA venue, Emm, Haycock, j Cunuinghaine, [liivis Miulienson, White, ; Stabler, and Spear. A number ol new members were, elected, and it was reported that tt sub-branch of I tho Association had been formed at Taihapo. A resolution was passed—the. members standing—expressing the deepest sympathy with the relatives of those who had, lallen i,in.ee. last meeting. Owing to (lie continued illness ol Mr Lynam, tiio s-ecrotarv, and liis inability to coulimu' iu the position, it was resolved that a subcommittee consisting of Colonel .McDonald, Captain Maedonnell, and Messrs Haycock, and Spear, be. authorised to tippoint a. tenmorary secretary. The PtUmerston North Commcrdal Travellers’ Surprise Backet t rttsade lorwarded a xlonation of £IOO to the local Association’s funds, and a further £IOO to the N.Z. Returned Soldiers’ AsstK-iation, Wellington. It, was resolved to write and thank the iraveller.s for lln-ir splendid gift. Mr SUtbler’s resignation from the executive was accepted.

The following letter from Mr T. R, Hod der to Colonel Mefjonald, under date Ctetober 24, nr reft-rexiee to (lie lormer S allegations re drinking among ii-tnnied sold ins, win read:—-“To Colonel McDonald After our chat over the unfortunate, •diliei-enco-which has arisen between your Association and the Patriotic/ Society. I am only too pleased to acknowledge my responsibility for the. misunderstanding, and to act with you in bringing about' the end which both of ns desire, I now wish to make tho position clear, a course which 1 teel sure will be satisfactory to you. Li justice fi> the men, the statement made by mo that 75 per cent, of the men who applied at the local office for relief were more or less under the influence of drink, should have been qualified by the explanation “that this does not apply in any way to men noon each of whom the Society bestows a gift o! clothing, irrespective of financial position. ’ As a matter of fact, this aspect of it did not. even occur to me, and I deeply regret, that- this inadvertence ]ed to what is. perhaps, a very natural misconception on the part <J the public. Mr regret is more keenly lelt, because 1 am thus responsible tor Ibe subsequent want of cordiality between the two bodies, neither of whom ran 1«> held blameworthy. Now that I have made- rnv first intention quite clear, ! teel sure yon will succeed in bringing about the mutual goodwill which both Associations so earnestly desire to-maintain, a. hope in which you and I have cordially joined.” It was stated that the following reply had been sent to Mr Hoddcr by Colonel McDonald: “We arc very pleased to receive yours of the 24th nit., which, in our opinion, clearly prows that the information disseminated by your c-tatcnient on tin- public platform was, as you have been man crouch U> admit, misleading to the public in that it made ’no discrimination byt v,ecu men who received one form of relief from another. My committee gladly accept;; your explanation ami regret, but, at. tne same time, byl that; vou wen- not justified in using me information. . . . K- L quite clear from your amended statement that .only three or four of the men in Rio Palmerston North district; were dliVctcd-by your statement.