OVER 500 MEMBERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 141, 16 May 1936, Page 2

OVER 500 MEMBERS

PALMERSTON NORTH R.S.A. THE ANNUAL REPORT. “The year has been one of progress and happiness, and our membersmp lias increased once more. It is gratifying to have topped the 500 marie, alter having, in common with all other associations, suffered large reductions in membership in years gone by. There is I still no reason, however, why during j the coming year these numbers should: not be vastly increased.” Thus states! the annual report of the Palmerston North branch of the Returned Soldiers Association. “The greatest happiness flows from the realisation that those of our fellows who have been suffering! lrom the results of unemployment have so materially decreased in number during the closing three or four months of the year. It is sincerely to be hoped that this will continue. It is with pride that we can refer to the goodwill that has characterised the attitude of these men in their straitened circumstances, a factor that has materially' assisted in their ro-employment when opportunity offered. “We must admit that, while no local association has been able to assist to so great an extent as we have, our tlianics for that ability are due to the continued generosity of the Patriotic Society in augmenting the grants of the Canteen ’trust funds board and the National War Funds Council. Our grateful thanks are extended to them. .[Nationally, we can record achievement in two directions. first, the War Veterans Allowances Act, and secondly the Pensions Act Amendment. The lorrner presents a tew anomalies whien it is hoped will be remedied, while the latter, although extending the limit lor marriage as qualifying lor pension benefits, still imposes a limit which, in the opinion of the executive, should he abolished altogether. Land problems considered during tiie year have been delayed in presentation to the new Government because of the effect of the policy of guaranteed prices and wage fixation. However, it is hoped to present our policy , with hopes of favourable consideration in the very near future. . . “The social side of the association has been well maintained during the year, and all our functions have been most excellently attended. We were unfortunate in losing, towards the latter part of the year, the services of Mr C. Sehioler, and we feel that we should at this stage place on record our appreciation oi the services rendered to the association both by Mr Sehioler and Mrs Sehioler over a long period of years.” UNEMPLOYMENT. The reports adds:—“lt is proposed to give a special report upon this particular part of the association s work. V e would note here, however, that our benevolent and distress tund has had several calls made upon it during the vear, and particular attention has always been given by the sub-committee dealing with various eases brougnt under its nonce, ivuiintr the winter months a free distribution of firing for our unemployed members was arranged lor, atid oui boot repairing depot was also kept working right throughout the year. Over suo pairs of boots weie lepaiied. SOLDIERS’ GRAVES. “At Kelvin Grove tne plot is now looking particularly well and we here are greatly indebted to the sexton (Mr ueorgo Walker; and his staff for the very excellent manner m which this plot is cared lor. We are also indebted to Messrs Bradfield and Nairn and Son of this town tor their continued kindness in donating plants lor use at this plot. At the Palmerston North cemetery: Once again our sincere thanks are duo to riie members of Ist Palmerston North Rover Scouts, who throughout the year have made regular visits to the cemetery lor the purpose of caring lor the soldieis graves'. The actual calls on the graves fund during the year were not many, but it is certain that the incoming executive will immediately have to consider much greater expenditure under this heading. . “It is with sincere regret that iiu have to record the passing ot the following, all of whom were valued members of the association : —Messrs J. ralvar (Slid), A. W. Feasey (43,81.11, T °J Killiek, A. G. Nieoll (164<i), I'. Sears (18,551), A. Wilson (2(3,223;. OTHER ACTIVITIES.

“Anzac IXiv, 1935, was remembered and* fittingly" observed by our association. the pubiic service til the■ "rounds was most excellently attended by the public of Palmerston North and district, and was conducted by Rev. John Paterson, ALA., of Wanganui. Following our usual custom, ‘R.S.A. Father Christmas’ with a band of willing helpers carried out his usual Christmas morning visits. la all 652 children were visited. In addition there were distributed a total or JU hampers to families in distressed circumstances. AA’e are very gratciul to all those, who made donations to our Christmas fund, to Mr E. G. Matthews for kindness in lending us rooms for parcelling toys, and to all those who assisted on Christmas morning itself. AYe are indebted to our social sub-committee for the manner 111 which the various activities in the club itself have been carried out. I hey lnivo arranged during the year vanous tournaments lor billiard players and for card players. Entries lor all tournaments have been good and it is proposed to continue 011 similar lines this forthcoming season. AYe also enjovecl visits iroiu the \\ oouville biancii, and it is hoped this year to have further intcr-club visits, i here has been a decided increase in library membership and the committee welcomes this extra support. A regular supply of new books lias been arranged lor, and we trust that this coming yeui will see even greater support accorded to our own library. Our sincere thanks arc due to all those who lia\ e supported the association, and we would like to take this opportunity oi especially mentioning the assistance of Mr Stanley AY right, who takes in hand for 11s tile distributing of comforts to returned men at the local Hospital, and also the municipal transit department for kindness in forwarding our parcels free of cost to the Hospital. Thanks are also due to the All Saints’ Church for its annual donation to our benevolent fund, and to the Lutheran Church Ladies’ Guild lor an annual donation to our Christmas hind.”