RETURNED SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16697, 15 November 1917, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

PERMANENT CLUB WANTED. ASSISTANCE SOUGHT. j Information regarding the help that might be expected from the Auckland Patriotic Association towards establishing j a permanent club in Auckland for returned soldiers was sought by a deputation from . the Returned Soldiers' Association, which waited on the executive of the Patriotic Association yesterday afternoon. The deputation comprised Messrs. E. W. Inder, C. E. Waddingnam, and J. Melling. Mr. Waddingham stated that the committee of the Returned Soldiers' Association had been severely criticised by a number of the men for having nothing definite to present at the last general meeting regarding the establishment of a per- ; manent club. The opinion was universal ' among the men that a permanent club ; should be established,, and the deputation . wished to secure information to place before the next general meeting of members as to the help and assistance which might ; be expected from the Patriotic Associai tion. Mr. Inder said he had always understood the Patriotic Association would help the returned m;;n to secure permanent premises, in fact, he believed the associa- ' tion had assured the returned men that a <$ub would be erected. With the re--1 turn of so many additional men from the 1 front the necessity for permanent pre--1 mises was becoming more apparent. The ; Soldiers' Association had a lease of the Y.MC.A. building until 12 months after 1 the war, but the members considered it I would not be wise, in the interests of the ' men who were . returning , now, i. to wait . until after the war before a permanent " ; club was secured. - ? ' i Mr. V. J. Lamer asked -if the per--1 I manent club would be a .residential club, > ; or a similar institution to the present one. Mr. Inder replied that it was proposed !to have ' a residential club. Country ' members of the association had to be con- ■ sidered. ' I In replying to the deputation the chair- ' ' man, Mr. J. H. Gunson, said the execn- ' , tive fully appreciated the ' importance ; of . a permanent club for returned soldiers. ■ j The executive had always been willing to ; co-operate with the men in regard to club >! premises. The matter .was 'of such im- > j portance that the executive would appoint ■ j a sub-committee to confer with the Be- ! j turned Soldiers' Association in regard to - the proposal, and he hoped that an agree- • ment would be reached , that would be - mutually acceptable to the returned men 1 and to the executive as representatives of ' the citizens. • • *,•" Subsequently Messrs. A. G. Lnnn and ' E. Plielan, members of the Soldiers' Club > . Committee, and Mr. Gun son, were apl ' pointed the sub-committee to confer with i j the Soldiers' • Association. .