RETURNED SOLDIERS

Northern Advocate, 16 April 1932, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS

LOCAL ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. LARGE ATTENDANCE. The Whangarei Empire Ex-Services Association held one of the largest annual'meetings in. its history in the County Council Chambers last night, the president, Mr. .1. N. McCarroll, presiding over an attendance of TO members. Mr. McCarroll expressed his gratification at the large gathering present, and then presented his report on the year’s operations, stressing the great work done by the executive. “In common with the rest of the community,” said Mr. McCarroll, “I am sorry to say some of our men have suffered. Every effort, has been put forward by your committee to help them and to assist those in need. Many claims for hc-lp come from men not belonging to this association or any other, but they have always received the best we can give them. All returned men should belong to some association and I strongly urge you to per : suade more men to .join our ranks.” Referring to the Unemployment Committee, Mr. McCarroll said the association was well represented and good work was being accomplished by assisting the partially disabled and other men to get work.

Every effort was used to assist cases applying for pensions and in several cases good results had been obtained. The delegate had taken part in the discussions at the annual conference, where much yvork was done, and he was much impressed with the amount of work that was carried on by this body.

The president took the opportunity of thanking the committee for the good work done during the year, especially. the executive, without whose assistance the association could not have carried on. He once again urged members to bring along another member to increase the usefulness of the association, as an association like the local one was the only one that the soldier that was hard up, could appeal to. Mr.'lT. 0. Hemphill proposed a vote of thanks to the president, and the report was carried with acclamation. The honorary treasurer, Mr. .1. A. West, then presented his financial statement, which disclosed that the association’s finances were in a healthy state. After financial assistance being given during the past year, the balances at April 1, 1932, were:— General Fund, £B4 17s 9d in credit, and Distress Fund, £96 11s Id in credit.- The report was. adopted. A vote of sympathy to relatives ’ of members deceased during the past year was carried. They were Messrs. Lilley, Beasley and, Osborne, Wreatjis had 'been sent to the funerals, at which the association had also been represented.

..Sister Colling and her committee Were accorded a vote of thanks for their assistance on Poppy Day last year. .. The executive was complimented by Hr. Mitchell, who said the work they had .been .faced. with..during the year had been hard, but they had done it well. He proposed a vote of thanks, which was carried with acclamation. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr. J, N, McCarroll (reelected) ; vice-president, Mr. A. D. Jack (re-elected); honorary secretary, Mr. G. A. Bothell; honorary treasurer, Mr. .T. A. West (re-elected); auditor, Mr. J. W. Mitchell; committee, Sister Collins and Messrs. Hemphill, J. IT. Brown, Archer and Lockie.

It was decided that the returned soldiers and nurses should parade on Anzac Day under the command of Mr. A. D. Jack.

Mr. A. A. McQueen moved that the association approve the proposed formation of the Whangarei Territorial Force Association, and recommend that every assistance and the exSorviees Association’s full moral support be given to such a body. The motion was carried, and after a vote of thanks to the chair the meeting ended.