R.S.A.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 136, 9 May 1933, Page 10

R.S.A.

A DIFFICULT YEAR. WORK FOR THE FUTURE. The interest which is being maintained by returned men in the Palmerston North branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was strikingly evidenced last night, when in the neighbourhood of 150 members attended the annual meeting, held in the Anzac Club. Mr B. J. Jacobs presided and at the outset he took the opportunity to remark that it was the largest gathering which had ever atended the annual meeting of the association. This augured well for the future.

The annual report (previously published) and the balance-sheet were read and adopted on the motion, of the chairman, seconded by Mr W. S. Patton.

In speaking to the report, the chairman stressed that the year had been a most difficult one, but the association had emerged very successfully. However, the association could not take all the credit to itself, pleasing though it was to be able to say that they had been able to assist in some way their fellow members who were less fortunate. During the year the sum of £1714 13s lid had been expended by way of subsidy in finding work for unemployed members. Of that amount £1564 had been paid to the Palmerston North City Council, £l2 to the Ivairanga County Council, £2 15s to the Manawatu County Council, £l9 4s to the Oroua County Council, and £ll6 12s 5d by way of subsidies on work on behalf of private individuals. The balance-sheet, continued the speaker, showed that a loss of £IOO had actually resulted on the year’s operations, but the outstanding rents, since paid, offset that amount. The association’s thanks were due to those members who had turned out under adverse conditions to assist the band of lady workers on Poppy Day, while special reference was due to Mr Percy Marr for his assistance, first as a member of the Cricket Club and latterly as honorary librarian; to the Press for their very valued support and to the executive committee. The unemployment sub-committee, added Mr Jacobs, had performed arduous work—few of the members knew how arduous it was. The sub-committee had met frequently and had performed their duties, faithfully, honestly and without bias. While the president was not apt to receive the praise which mi"ht be forthcoming, and possibly the brickbats also, he could not accept any encomiums for the past year for all were due to the executive members.

Mr T. D. Dilks asked how many men had been assisted, the chairman replying approximately 200.

Another member asked how much had come from the Canteen Funds Board, tho chairman stating that £367 had been received from that source, £235 from the War Funds Council, £136 from Poppy Day and £lOlO from the Patriotic Society. In reply to another question relative to the payment of wage tax on R.S.A. works, the chairman explained that the matter had been taken up by the New Zealand R.S.A., but the Government had refused to amend the regulation. The imposition, which ho considered totally unfair, could be again objected to. Mr R. Holmes moved that the meeting protest against the imposition of a wage tax on R.S.A. money expended on subsidised work wherein ex-service-men participated. Mr T. Rodgers seconded the motion which, when put to the meeting, was carried unanimously.

Tho treasurer (Mr H. F. Wilson), in presenting the statement of finances, mentioned that the association had war bonds totalling £3OO which fell due this year, and had, at the Government’s request, converted £1920 worth of bonds.

Tiie chairman remarked that he did not think there was any other association in the Dominion so well favoured in respect to liquid assets. It had much to thank the people of Palmerston North for, particularly for the endowment of the club.

A motion of condolence was extended the relatives of the late Messrs \V. A. Baldwin, V. T. Dibble, A. E. Steere, H. J. Prew and E. Bailey, all having been valued members of the association, who had passed away during the year. SUGGESTIONS ADVANCED. The opinion was expressed by the chairman that overtures should be made for an increased allocation from the Canteen Funds Board this year in view of the difficult times through which ex-servicemen were passing. He formally moved along those lines, being supported by Mr B. Passey,. who suggested that not only the physical, but the mental side of the trials at present confronting ex-servicemen be presented in no uncertain terms. In reply to a question, the chairman explained that the quota to the various associations from the Canteen Board was based on the numbers of unemployed in the various centres, if being accepted that there was a like ratio of returned men in the ranks of the unemployed in each district. The chairman also made reference to the splendid work performed by Mr S. Wright among the returned men in hospital, stating that Mr Wright had been a worthy-helper of the association in that capacity for many years.

A suggestion was advanced by a member that headquarters of the R.S.A. take up the question of a reduction of interest on mortgages on ex-soldiers’ farms and it was decided to send it forward as a recommendation to the conference. A tribute was paid by a member to the sympathy extended the unemployed members by the secretary, Mr W. G. Rutherfurd, and the chairman of the unemployment sub-committee, Mr J. W. Rutherfurd, the remarks being received with hearty support. Appreciation, was voiced by Mr Passey of the • valued assistance rendered the association by the Patriotic Society. A recommendation was presented by Mr T. D. Dilks that a sum be voted to permit of the tobacco and cigarettes of the club being retailed at a lower price to members. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election, of officers for the ensuing year resulted: —President, Mr B. J. Jacobs; hon. treasurer, Mr H. F. Wilson (re-elected); auditor, Mr A. T. Beudall (re-elected); executive committee, Messrs J. W. Rutherfurd, A. W. Chapman, E. Bee, G. Procter, F. J. Patterson, A. W. Mewton, S. G. Northey, C. Schioler, H. W. Johnson and G. Rennie. Some 20-odd nominations were received, but all 10 members of the old committee were returned.