Helping the Returned Soldier

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 152, 30 June 1938, Page 6

Helping the Returned Soldier

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY ACTIVITIES Present at the annual meeting of tin Manawatu Patriotic Society last even ing were the Mayor Mr. A. E. Mans ford), Messrs. J. H. Stevens, J. Blackwood, T. E. French, J. W. Rutherfurd, W. G. Rutherfurd, J. A. Nash, T. R. 1-lodder, B. J. Jacobs and E. V. Spear (secretary). The deaths of Messrs. F. J. Nathan and C. Louisson, who had been members of the executive and had rendered untiring services for the society over many years, were referred to with regret. It was decided to place on record the work they had done and forward letters of sympathy to the bereaved families. During his term as Mayor, Mr. Nathan was chairman of the society’s executive while Mr. Louisson had taken a very keen interest in the early days in the social side which led to the establishment of the Soldiers ’ Club. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, Mr. Mansford said that year by year if became increasingly evident that the policy laid down by those originally connected with the society, had been a very sound one and it was gratifying to those connected with the administration of the fund to-day to find quite a substantial sum which should be sufficient to meet, any emergency which might arise. Dealing with the year just past, the chairman said it was pleasing to noto —at ex-servicemcn had enjoyed the benefits of the more prosperous times and one could only express the wish that the good times would continue. The problem of the returned man was one that had never been understood and possibly never would be, because each case was one to be treated separately from another. The society was probably in a better position than any other society iu the Dominion, to meet any cases that might come before it requiring assistance. Mr. Mansford thanked committee members for co-operation and Mr. Jacobs for his assistance because in largo measure tho latter assumed the responsible duties attached to the office of president of the society. Mr. Mansford also tendered thanks to Mr. Spear as secretary. Mr. Jacobs stated that an excellent relationship had existed between the Patriotic Society and R.S.A. and in respect of tho grant for indigent and unemployed soldiers, the R.S.A. had been able to announce that temporarily it would not be wanted. Tho R.S.A. had been able to legislate for its requirements without making a call on the society. Since October last no grant had been asked for. Mr. Jacobs said tho R.S.A. appreciated the spirit of the society in giving them their requirements and assured the meeting that the confidence would not be abused. He paid tribute to the work of Mr. J. W. Rutherfurd who was responsible for the administration of the unemployment fund. Messrs. H. F. Wilson and L. H. Collinson were elected to the executive to fill the vacancies caused by the demise of Messrs. Nathan and Louisson. Mr. R. Davis was reappointed auditor and Mr. Blackwood treasurer. Reporting on the financial position of tho R.S.A., Mr. Jacobs said very ample depreciations had resulted in a small debit being shown on the balance-sheet but actually the past year had been a very successful one. Mr. Jacobs extended to the society the appreciation of the R.S.A. for assistance given cx-servicemen over a long number of years. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Blackwood as honorary treasurer. The work of Mr. Jacobs was also recognised iu a motion recording what he had done in the society’s minute book. Congratulations were extended to tho R.S.A. on tho way its funds were administered and in this connection Mr. Jacobs explained that the New Zealand R.S.A. had authorised the utilisation of 20 per cent, of Poppy Day funds for general administration purposes, but the Palmerston North branch had decided unanimously that not one single penny of that money which was raised for special purposes, should be so raised. The general fund of the branch had to bear the cost.