P.N. Returned Soldiers Hold Annual Meeting

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7460, 10 May 1934, Page 5

P.N. Returned Soldiers Hold Annual Meeting

SPLENDID ENTHUSIASM SHOWN

Keen enthusiasm was displayed .at the annual meeting of the Palmerston Korth branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, held in the clubroom ou Tuesday evening. There was a very large attendance —numbering over 100 ■ —over which the president, Mr 13. J. Jacobs, presided. The chairman at the outset tendered thanks for the very largo attendance and expressed the hope that tho gathering would bo tae best ever recorded in the history of the association. Tho annual report aud the balancesheet, revealing a loss, were adopted. During tlio year tho executive had carried out a lot of excellent work, stated Mr Jacobs, adding that the members were deserving of the highest commendation. The year had been a most difficult one, but tho spirit of progress had been maintained. To them, members were indebted to the success

of tho club generally. Thanks were duo to Mr Stan Wright, who had performed sterling service in attending to the wants of ex-service men in hospital, also to Mr ft. Wa iker for his care of the graves at tho cemetery; the Rover Scouts in this regard, and headquarters at Wellington, which had also attended to all tho association’s wants. Thanks were due to the ladies and Scouts who had turned out to sell poppies in commemoration of Anzac Day, and the secretary (Mr W. ft. Ruthcrfurd) and Mr If. Walkley (caretaker). No reasonable request, lie added, had over been refused by the Manawatu Patriotic Society, which at all times had done its best to assist the activities of returned soldiers.

Mr 11. N. Cook, a member of tho Patriotic Society executive, told of the work of that organisation and explained that the administration of the E.S.A. branch at Palmerston North was regarded with great pleasure. He added that it was up to members of the association to let the public know of the way in which the society had assisted ex-soldiers in certain directions. A member paid a tribute to the good-fellowship existing in the club. He liad had experience with the various branches throughout New Zealand, ho explained, but he had yet to find a better club organisation and spirit than tho local one.

Eulogistie reference to the work carried out by the executive was also made by Mr A. W. Passey. It was a thankless job, lie stated, but individually or collectively not one member had fallen down on tho task. Sacrifices had to bo made, but all seemed to have their heart wrapped up in the affairs of the association. A unanimous resolution of thanks was accorded tho Patriotic Society for its wonderful assistance in regard to

tho association's unemployment fund. Mr Jacobs paid a tribute to Mr .T. A. Nash, M.P., in this regard and outlined the many branches of its work. It was also decided to pliico on record a vote of thanks to all - who had assisted ia the sale of poppies during Poppy Day, 1034. Tho chairman mentioned that a petition had been received from Clovcrlca farmers asking for support ia respect to revaluation work.—Tho mooting decided to support the request.

Election of Officers

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year; President, Mr 13. J. Jacobs; lion, treasurer, Mr H. F. Wilson; other members of the executive, Messrs R. Morton, J. W. ltuthorfurd, F. J. Patterson, G. Procter, A. W. Chapman, F. Bee, 11. W. Johnson, S. ft. Norther, C. S. Seliiolcr and G. Rennie. Mr A. Bendall was elected auditor. Mr G. Procter was accorded a vote of thanks for his work in regard tc the social activities of the club.

THE YEAR IN RETROSPECT

The annual report submitted to (he meeting by Mr Jacobs stated: “Another year in the history of the association lias passed. It was ushered in with the most gloomy prospects for a large number of our members. It is with regret that we cannot see the end of it, or say that our high hopes for improvement have been realised. lam

hoping that the association this year will be able to lend its aid in a general bettering of the conditions in this unfortunate regard. I consider we can claim that the achievements of the year can be characterised as very much more than satisfactory. I make bold to say that no local association has been able to provide a greater measure of assistance than ours. This is a re-

flection from the sterling work of the association in tlio past years by having firmly established a reputation for its administration and a fulsome confidence in its sincerity. We must not fail to acknowledge that, for the results which we consider with such satisfaction, we arc indebted almost entirely to the outside assistance that has been made available to us. A\'c cannot too highly 1 express our gratitude to the Patriotic Society for its continued nrae-

tieal sympathy. Wo must sec that wc continue to merit the confidence and sympathy that forms the basis of its co-operation with us. ‘‘Two aspects of the period aro a little disappointing: (a) Tho financial loss disclosed by the balance-sheet; (b) the very small increase in our membership. Again, I urge upon members tho desirability of endeavouring to enrol new members to support the association. Apart from this, I think that we can claim that as much as ever lias been done during tho year just passed to promote the spirit of good comradeship amongst our members and the social happiness of our fellows. “The unemployment committee of

tho association dealt with approximately 200 cases during the year. Apart from supplj'ing married men with work each month on local-body undertakings, the association, was successful in. procuring casual employment for SO men and supplying under the subsidised labour schemes approximately ISO jobs. In all a total of 051 children received Christmas gifts under the scheme operating by the association—s2l in the city and 130 in the country.

“The social subcommittee has been doing excellent work. Visits were arranged between other branches of the association and ourselves and these were thoroughly enjoyed by members. It is hoped to arranges further interclub visits this coming winter. The social committee has continued to - arrange billiard tournaments and evenings for tho members, and it is hoped that the coming year will find a greater use made of our fmc room. Again wo arc pleased to report an increase of library membership. The library committee lias been successful in making arrangements for larger supplies of new books, and it is hoped that still more members will take advantage of library privileges. Ping-pong has become very popular among members and the committee was obliged to procure an extra table. A team was entered in tho Manawatu championship, and visits were arranged with other clubs.

“Benevolence and distress.—Several carts have been made upon this fund. The unemployment sub-committeo has inquired carefully into tho various cases brought under its notice and given assistance where deemed necessarj'. During tho winter this committee arranged for a free distribution of firing for our unemployed members (G2O bags being distributed). “Membership.—Tho total membership of the branch at the end of the year was 4G5, an increase of 15 over last year.”