BIG MUSTER OF RETURNED SOLDIERS

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 110, 12 May 1939, Page 10

BIG MUSTER OF RETURNED SOLDIERS

Bigger Membership For City’s Branch ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING There was an exceptionally big muster of ex-servicemen at Wednesday evening’s annual general meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. The president (Mr. B. J. Jacobs) was in the chair and the proceedings were marked by much enthusiasm. Before reading the annual report, the chairman made feeling reference to the loss the association had suffered through the deaths of two very good friends. He referred to the late Mrs. Harry Palmer and the late Major Jickell. At his request a motion of sincere sympathy was passed with the sorrowing relatives. Annual Report. The chairman then read the executive ’s annual report, which is as under:— "The past year can bo characterised as having been a most happy and successful one in every way,” states the annual report of the Palmerston North Returned Soldiers’ Association, presented at the annual general meeting held on Wednesday evening. "It is indeed most gratifying still once again that we are able feu record a satisfactory and substantial increase of membership. This fact is indicative of, first, a feeling of confidence in the association and satisfaction with its aims and its achievements, and, second, and perhaps best of all, a sincere desire to preserve to the end the spirit of comradeship that resulted from our common service. Our ambition, naturally, is to enrol everybody who is eligible for membership, and both the assistance and cooperation of those who are members are earnestly asked in this direction. "One of the most pleasurable reflections on the year’s -work is the satisfactory reduction in the numbers of those who have required assistance from the association. The practical operation, however, of the social security benefits has given rise to a few difficulties and anomalies that will have to be carefully considered by your executive. All can rest assured that everything that is possible and within our means will be done. The committee that has attended to this aspect of our work deserves the highest thanks of the members, and it is indeed a pleasure to mention the names of Mr. J. W. Rutherford as chairman, Mr. G. M. Rennie, Mr. E. F. Bee and Mr. H. W. Johnston as members of that committee.

"The financial position of the association continues to be excellent. After providing for generous depreciations, the year’s working shows a loss of a small sum of £lO odd. Already for next year we are committed to expenditure that is intended to improve the conditions and comfort of the club rooms, but all will agree that this is quite justified.

"It is with deep regret that wo record the passing of the following, all of whom were loyal supporters of our association: J. Buick (11/8620), A. Fruean (12/3233), L. V. Kay (10/921), H. Pirika (16/577), J. E. Reid (47) and H. Schreiber (10/1976).

"The financial membership as at March 31, 1939, stands at 627, this being an increase of 41 over that of last year.

‘ 1 Our requests for increases in war pensions have to a certain extent been met, and when the Government was considering the Social Security Act, provision was made for the increase in the economic Tension to tne old rate of 30s per week. Unfortunately, our efforts to procure increases iu the scale of war veterans’ allowances did not meet with the success that we had hoped for. No doubt this will be a matter that will again be given serious thought and consideration at the forthcoming annual Dominion conference. A considerable amount of time has been occupied during the year in investigating and advising on claims for pensions, and we desire here to acknowledge once again the courtesy and assistance shown our association at all times by the local Registrar of Pensions (Mr. Donovan) and his staff.

"War graves.—The calls upon this fund were not large. Your executive has, however, been investigating certain cases where necessary work is uncompleted, and in all probability it will be necessary in the near future to commit ourselves to quite a large expenditure under this heading. Your executive wish to place on record their sincere thanks to the sexton of Kelvin Grove Cemetery (Mr. G. Walker) and his staff for their work in keeping the plot iu such an excellent condition, and to the members of the Ist Palmerston North Rover Scouts for their continued interest in caring for the soldiers ’ graves at the Palmerston North Cemetery. "Anzac Day.—Anzac Day, 1938, was again fittingly observed throughout New Zealand, and in our own city a public service was conducted by the association. The service, held in the Opera House, was excellently attended, and was conducted by Rev. J. Hubbard, M.A., 8.D., to whom our sincere thanks are due.

‘ ‘ Poppy Day, 1938.—The Poppy Day appeal was once again an outstanding success, and to all our helpers we are under a deep debt of gratitude and we thank one and all for their co-operation.

"Christmas cheer.—R.fc.A. Father Christinas with a baud of willing helpers carried our usual Christmas morning visits to children of our members. In all a total of 519 children were visited. We are grateful to all those who made donations to our Christmas fund and to Mr. E. G. Matthews for his continued kindness in allowing us the use of his rooms for parcelling toys. "Hospital visting.—A considerable number of returned men have entered tho Palmerston North Hospital for treatment during the year, and the secretary has made regular visits—22 iu all —to the institution. "Ashhurst sub-branch.—This branch continues to progress and has completed the year with an increase in membership. We must congratulate the members of the Ashhurst branch. "Furlough House trip.—This trip,

made by sons of association members to Sydney, was carried out towards the end of the year, and was most successful in every way. The association was represented by Master Maurice Colin ■Sexton, of this city.

"Club activities. —The year, so far as club activities are concerned, has been a most successful one in every way. Our social, committee has done good work. Membership of our library has been well maintained. A great deal of the success attending this department is due to our uew library, Mr. R. A. Bray. Our card evenings were not so well attended as we had hoped they would be, and we ask that greater support be accorded by members this coming season. A bowling tournament was conducted during the season and members of various branches throughout the district took part. The tournament, the first of its kind, was a success in every way, and the committee responsible are to be congratulated upon the effort made. This function will not doubt become au annual event. Inter-club visits were also made, and it is hoped next season to extend this part of our social activities. "The executive, which met regularly throughout the year, consisted as follows: President, Mr. B. J. Jucobs; lion, treasurer, Mr. H. F. Wilson j Messrs. J. W. Rutherford, A. W. Chapman, G. M. Rennie, ,S. tf. Northey, H. W. Johnson, E, F. Bee, R. R. Morton, F. Hickey, A. W. Portland and M. Laurenson. ’ ’ Further to the report, the chairman reviewed the work of the executive and its sub-committees and he said, without fear of contradiction, that the association had always been well served by the men that had been elected to the executive. Mr. Jacobs then paid tribute to the work of the secretary (Mr. W. G. Kutherfurd), also expressing the hope that the association would have him for many years to come. Mr. Jacobs also mentioned the efforts of the caretaker, Mr. R. Crawford, and the librarian, Mr. R. Bray. The Financial Statement. The-financial report was submitted by the treasurer, Mr. H. Findlay Wilson, and the balance-sheet was adopted on the motion of Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson, comparing the position with that obtaining at this time last year, gave the following comparative figures, last year’s totals being shown in parentheses: Membership fees, £297 (£290); reunion, Christmas fund and Anzac fund, £l2B (£98); billiard room receipts, £215 (£171); canteen, £25 (£21); expenditure, £1129 (£1094). The balance-sheet indicated that the Benevolent Fund stood at £743, the Graves’ fund at £lO7, the Accumulated Fund at £IB4B 10s, and that the assets totalled £2698, including loan, stock and cash, and that the amount for the library, after allowing for £IOB depreciation, was £2OO. The report and balance-sheet, were adopted without discussion. Social Security Act. Referring to the operation of the Social Security Act, the chairman stated it was realised that there were difficulties and anomalies, and while the views of individual members would be welcomed, he gave an assurance that the executive of the N.Z.R.S.A. was fully alive to the position and that the headquarters of tho association were being inundated with requests from branches all over the Dominion. Unemployment Fund. The chairman gave figures relating to the unemployment fund and also tho Nuffield Fund for which the receipts

amounted to £125 and the expenditure to £22 10s. Poppy Day Appeal. The chairman spoke with enthusiasm of Palmerston North’s response to the poppy day appeal and he asked that the association’s best thanks and congratulations be extended all the ladies and members who had helped with the sale of poppies and for the success they achieved. The resolution indicated by Mr. Jacobs was carried with euthusiVotes of thinks were also accorded All Saints’ Church, Mr. L. Cousins, and all who had forwarded donations. Election of Officers. Before proceeding with the election of officers, Mr. Jacobs said, referring to the position of president, that there should be a change. He added that he would like to see Mr. J. \Y. Kutherfurd accept office, but Mr. Kutherfurd’s observation was "same old answer.” Mr. Wilson then called for nominations for the position of president and Mr. Jacobs was re-cleeted in doublequick time. Returning thanks, Mr. Jacobs said that when he first accepted office iu 1918 he did not think he would hold the position for 21 years. The election then continued -as under:—Honorary treasurer, Mr. 11. F. Wilsou; auditor, Mr. A. T. Beudail. Ten were required for the executive committee and sixteen members were nominated. The new committee was elected as follows:—Messrs. J. W. Kutherfurd, A W. Chapman, Gil. Rennie, S. G. Northey, R. R. Morton, Horry Johnson, Ted Bee. llorgan Laurenson, Fred Hickey and J. B. Stewart.