RETURNED SOLDIERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 124, 23 April 1927, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS

AN 4UAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. HI( HLY SUCCESSFUL YEAR. i. ■ 1 Tie annual meeting of the Palmerston N rth branch of the Returned Soldier/ Association, held last evening, Mr B J. Jacobs presiding over a large attenc ince of members. Apologies for absea< i were received from Messrs Jno. Mum j and J. W. Rutherfurd. Tie annual report (already puband balance-sheet were adopted on th motion of Mr Jacobs. The treasurer (Mr Harrington) congratul ited the association on the very credit bio balance that bad been shown “It is a position,” said Mr Harfi gton, “that no other branch in New ealand is in.” Mr H. N. Cooke also spoke in eulogistic terms of the financial position of the association.

Sfie ial reference was made by the chairman to the excellent services carried cut by the custodian of the Soldier/ Club, Mr Thos. Foster, and on behi.ll of the executive he asked Mr Fosiei to accept a handsome case of pipe 3. Mr Foster, in reply, thanked the pres id >nt for his kindly remarks and assure l those present that he would ever 1 ave the interests of the club at heart. -

Mr T. W. Rutherfurd wrote suggesting tl at members should place any souvei irs they possess in a glass case, spec'a y made for the purpose, in the club’s building for safe keeping, and on Mi Rutherfurd’s behalf Mr Jacobs moved that such a suggestion be given effect ». . , M:- Jooke also spoke in- favour of the sugges -ion. He himself had several souvei rs he would willingly place in such s case. On he motion of Mr Jacobs it was decide to place on record a resolution apprise ating the services rendered by Mr T. H. Davey who is shortly leaving the d:i ;trict. - . That the secretary’s services be reeogn:s< I in a tangible manner was a propos 1 put forward by Mr Jacobs who p ’oposed that his annual salary be ir.c eased.

Sen -al other speakers voiced the opinioi that the work of the secretary was w< 11 worthy of further appreciation and i was unanimously _ decided to increat s his salary accordingly. Mr Rutherfurd briefly returned than is and stated that the present posit io i of the association was due to those- rho, throughout the year, had given 1 leir services whenever they were requirt I. He took the opportunity of than.d Lg all who had helped him in the pi st. A v te of thanks to the Press for its as, si tance was carried on the motion of Mr Jacobs. Thß election of officers for the ensuing ' /ear resulted as follows:—President. Mr B. J. Jacobs; hon. treasurer, dr: W. C. Harrington; executive cc tnmfttee, .Messrs'J. W. Rutherfurd, l'\ E, G. Seeker, J.. E. B. lie.vis, *'G. Rennie, W. H. Macmillan, E l . Dilks, E. A. Meacham, C. B. Wilbaj isqtt .and'A\ W. Mewton; auditor, Mr Bendall. . Mr D. Dilks.: nioved that . £25 per year be set.aside, for. the purpose ’ of reduoi ig member’s' subscriptions, but after a sjbort discussion the motion was lest. '

Mr Wilson proposed that .a hearty vote o thanks be accorded Mr A. AV. Chain) an for his services to the club and tJ e motion was carried by acclamatioi . •' ANZAC DAY. M:: Weeks said he would like to'see the cf nmemoration of Anzac Day take ] lace on a Sunday. He would sugg<?s i that the matter be put forward n the form of a remit to the confer mce. “It is most unfair,” continued Mr Weeks, “to ask the casual labour ir to leave his work and pay when ie Oan ill afford to do so.” M:: f. R. Smith said that surely employer could give up one day per annun tef the memory of those'who were 1 f ing oil the battlefields of Gallipoli a d France. M:r Tacobs said he had striven hard to ha e the observance of this day made ;eneral, and he was of the firm convic ion: that April 25 was the most suits b > day for the observance. “If the oh ldren forget the significance of this d; y,” continued Mr Jacobs, “it is our fa lit for allowing them to do so.” Mr Weeks again voiced the opinion that ii was only a matter of time when the 1-ri e significance of this day would be <oi lpletely obliterated. He compared it with the observance of Sunday ai the present time when people were < rigaged all over the country in playin ; various sports. On : show of hands being taken the motioi was lost by an overwhelming majori y.