RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6901, 6 May 1929, Page 8

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

Annual Report 1828-29 | Tiie fiii-i'i: i report of the R.S.A., to be submitted at the meeting to-night, is as follows:

; Another year lias passed over the life iof the association and although in one !respect the result is a little disappointjing, still in all others, it is highly gratifying. The regrettable feature of this review of the year’s working is that it has to record still another small decrease in our active membership. The committeo has done its best to keep before the members old and present the aims and objects of the association, with a view to strengthening the number of out members. It has also maintained the various institutions in the association to stimulate the interest of all members including those who are unable to enter into the club activities. There are. some exsoldiers who frankly do not desire to bo members of our organisation, but on the other hand the great majority of service men would willingly remain in active membership or become members if personal approach could be made to them. It is recommended to the incoming executive, that a full list of financial members be posted in the club and that then all those whose names remain on it should make a personal endeavour to retain and enlist the membership and interest of those of their friends whom they are able to approach. Special mention should bo made in this report of the fact that we do not suspend from active membership those who through misfortune are unable to afford a subscription. It is felt, however, that only through personal application will we be able to increase the membership as we should.

Interest in all association functions and activities has not suffered, in spito of the shrinkage in actual numbers and from this point of view-, the year ha 3 been an excellent and most enjoyable one. It is felt by the executive that the time has come when the club rule should be more strictly enforced, that only actual members of the association are entitled to participate in the privileges of the club. The executive has had this matter under consideration but decided to refer it to the annual general meeting. The only remaining particular in respect to which the year might be regarded with ofher than the greatest satisfaction is that it might appear from a casual glance at our balance sheet and accounts, that we have finished up the year less successfully from the financial point of view than we did last year. This however, is only partially true, as we have during the year, spent considerable sums of money on club improvements for the benefit, comfort and enjoyment of members. Indeed a considerable portion of the expenditure in this respect is represented by corresponding assets, for example, the wireless sot. The fact that this extraordinary expenditure si ill leaves a small balance of receipts over expenditure for the year( on tho combined club and association accounts) should banish any suggestion that the result is not most satisfactory. Individual items of club and association activities will be dealt with later in this report, but the slogan for the next year should be “membership.” In aiding that appeal, it is fair to mention that at least 90 per cent of those for whom we make appeals for help and of those whom we assist, arc not members of the association, and we still wish to be at hand to lend them whatever assistance we can. During the year we regret that our hon. treasurer, Mr. W. C. Harrington has suffered considerable illness and our wishes are extended to him for a speedy recovery. Our deepest sympathy is extended herein to the relatives of the late T. E. Brookes, J. Liggins and H. T. Waghorn, all of whom were valued members of tho association for many years.

General Activities.

Unemployment and distress: Thanks to tho very many willing workers who helped us with the sale of poppies, the committee had available sums of monies for the relief of the unemployed. A total amount of £235 6s 2d was spent under this heading. A portion of this amount carried a subsidy of 30s to £l, the remainder carrying a £ for £ subsidy.

The committee placed those on our unemployed list with local bodies, 'ihe total number so assisted by way of employment was 27, practically all of whom were married men with families. £55 was distributed in the relief of distress where actual necessity existed arid work could not be provided. It is the custom of the committee to assist in such cases by grants cither in money or providing for the purchase of groceries and household necessities. _ Eight families wore assisted under this particular account Graves: Thanks are due to the Boy Scouts and Cubs, under the leadership of Sister Elliott, who regularly attend to the graves of ex-servicemen in the local cemetery. There has been practically no expenditure under this account during the period under review. the enri"i : ttee lias «>t the present time several cases under its notice and it will no doubt be necessary to accept responsibility for a percentage of these eases within a short time.

Anzae Day: We have to report the successful carrying out of Anzac Day celebrations. We are indebted to at! .i,,.y■ i.o assisted us on that occasion. A "ratifying feature in this connection was the* very large attendance of exservice men on parade. Our thanks arc r iue also to all those who assisted us connect ion with the sacred concert

Re-union: Tho annual re-union was

successful functions we have held for many years. The occasion was taken to farewell our patron, Mr. P. A. Mc-IT-ordy and the large attendance of members was a great compliment to one who has remained at ad times a staunch supporter of the association. This year’s function will be held on Friday next, May 10 j Sports Bodies. Cricket club: This season has been a ■ most successful one for this club. The senior team did excellently and finished up in second place on tho championship

ladder. The junior team, though not so successful, did very well and is tp be congratulated upon its showing. Rifle club: This club was one of the original sports clubs instituted by the association. To this day there arc still some of the original members taking part in the weekly shooting, but it would be pleasing to see even a larger membership. The club has lately purchased new rifles and thi3 should give members greater opportunities on the range. The club meets every Thursday at the Linton range.

Soccer club: This club continues to do well. Though not successful in retaining trophies, the club did very well in the competition games. A number of new and younger players have joined up and if the first few games played this season are to bn taken as a guide then a most successful season can be looked forward to. Dances: As you will note from the balance sheet we have had another successful season so far as our weekly dances are concerned. These dances which are conducted solely by and for the benefit of the association, are a most necessary function so far as we are concerned. The committee, however does not lose sight of, tne fact that it is entirely necessary to conduct the function on sound and proper lines, even though it may mean a slight decrease of cash takings. “A good, clean, wholesome entertainment” is the watchword of the dance committee.

Library: This department has shown an improvement this year. A goodly number of members take advantage of the library privileges, but an even greater number could do so. The annual fee is but a small one and the range of books available is large. It may not be generally known that all honorary members of our association are entitled to the free use of tin library.

Billiard room: The Billiard room committee reports another successful season. The Wednesday evening tournaments once again have proved their worth and have given pleasure to a:I those who have participated. The annual championships have been concluded and we are at present playing off for the Mellardy Cups. Tho expenditure upon the billiard room during tho year has been large but has been warranted. It has also been found necessary to engage extra assistance for this department during the winter months.

Christmas treat: Following the example of 1928, the Christmas treat for children of members was held on Christmas Day. Santa Claus visited some 306 children and all those who assisted in this work agreed that the effort wa3 more than worth while and we believe that many of the children had been looking forward to the event for some time.

Health of ex-service men: An inI creasing number of returned men who wore discharged fit, but who now find their health anything but satisfactory, has come to the notice of your com mittee during the past year. This experience is common to Returned Soldiers’ associations and Patriotic societies throughout New Zealand. In very many cases, difficulty has been found in proving to the satisfaction lof the War Pensions board or to the [Appeal board that they are attributable to war service. Those who have been j closely associated with war pension I wprk" realise that many men have an [excellent claim, but perhaps because i they were self-reliant and did not reI port minor illnesses, they now encount er difficulties in working up a reasonluble case. We believe that the coming i vr.ar will show a substantial increase of such cases, and that provision will have to be made for the borderline case. Many men are now so handicap- ! ped by reason of some disability that 1 they are unable to undertake anything [ but the lightest of work, which is almost impossible to secure. We say 'that light jobs should be found for these men and that various government departments could and should be made to absorb them. Pensions: The. association has assisted a number of men during tho year, with reference to securing of pensions and hospital treatment. There are always a number of men in the locai hospital for treatment for old or new troubles nnd visits are made by the secretary. Conclusion: Practically every other association in New Zealand is at present showing a revival of interest and an increased membership, and may we appeal to all Palmerston North “Diggers” to help us to keep Palmerston North well up on the membership roll. Incidentally ail ex-scrvicemen who servcd with any Britisii force in any campaign arc eligible for membership and this may not be known to all our memlevs. I