K.S.A.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 120, 19 April 1940, Page 5

K.S.A.

ANNUAL MEETING. PRESIDENT RE-ELECTED. There was, a record attendance of members at the annual meeting of tlie Feilding R.S.A., on Wednesday, Mr B. Mclveod presiding. Before proceeding with the business the chairman paid tribute to the sterling qualities of the late Prime Minister (lit. Hon. M. J. Savage) and a motion of sympathy was passed. Referring to the largo attendance, the chairman said it was evident that the members were showing even greater interest in the organisation as the years went by. The “Old guard’’ was now closely knit, and although tlie Great War had been succeeded by an , even greater world conflict, it was pleasing to note that the returned soldiers were a united body and one which could render much valuable service by virtue of its lengthy experience and knowledge of the requirements of the present-day soldiers. A tribute was paid by the speaker to the valuable work of Messrs F. J. Allen and T. Donaldson, the former in connection with his interest in cases of distress and the latter in connection with the Anzac Day concert. Arrangements had been made with Veil. Archdeacon F. H. Petrie to secure a speaker for»tlic Anzac Day address. Touching on the present war, Mr McLeod said that it was tragic to think that again our men were engaged in battle with the old enemy. The K.S.A. had a job of work to do, and it intended to offer every assistance to the soldiers participating in the conflict. The report (already published) and the balance-sheet were adopted after a discussion in which the secretary (Mr C V. Jewell), in answer to a question, said that fully 75 per cent, of the applications received ior pensions had been granted. Regarding the Canteen 1' und allocations to the various branches, Mi Allen explained that the Feilding organisation received £29 per annum, and twice that figure had been expended for the relief of distress. Referring to the Anzac Day civic service Mr Allen urged all members to attend. The growth of membership was also mentioned by Mr Allen, who predicted that in the coming year tlie strength of the branch would increase. The chairman endorsed the remarks of Mr Allen, particularly in reference to the civic service. Ho also referred to the farewells accorded members of the “new guard’’ and appealed to members of the R.S.A. to attend future functions of a similar nature. Mr G. Al. vMoffitt also spoke regarding the financial and annual reports, and paid a tribute to the work done by the executive. . Regarding the sale of poppies, -J the president said that, the date for the distribution of poppies throughout the Dominion could not be fixed for any set day The matter had been discussed at every Dominion conference, but some latitude was allowed the smaller organisations, which sold poppies on some particular occasion. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr B. McLeod; vicc-pic-sident, Mr F. J. Allen; commitUv, Messrs AV. G. Booth, H. Brooker, H. D. Richardson, A. F. McKenzie (country members), Messrs G. M. Moffitt, R. H. Buchanan, T. K. Hay, T. Donaldson, C. H. Tate (town members) ; secretary, Mr Jewell; auditor, Mr O. Aldis; delegate to Dominion conference, Mr B. McLeod. Mr McLeod briefly acknowledged the confidence placed in him by members in returning him to the office of president. Mr Allen also congratulated Mr McLeod. It was decided that any member of the association going overseas be sent a parcel every month. Members enlisting aro to be regarded as financial while on active service. A motion that it be a recommendation to the executive that any profit from the Anzac Day concert be given to the Patriotic Fund lapsed for the want of a seconIt was announced by Mr Allen that as a result of the efforts of Mr B. Fry 250 poppies which had been sent to tlio local freezing works for sale had been disposed of. Ho solicited offers of help by ladies for the sale of poppies. Reference to the poor attendances at the civic farewells was made by Mr Allen, who said that the apathy Mas regrettable and .disappointing to the civic authorities and the Mayor (Mr T. L. Seddon). He hoped to see an improvement at future gatherings. The secretary’s annual remuneration was increased to £3O.