RETURNED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 10

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ASSOCIATION'S AFFAIRS OUTCOME OF INQUIRY NO FURTHER ACTION DESIRED A decision that no further action should be taken was reached by a meeting of members of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association last evening, when reports by an investigation committee which had been authorised to inquire into the finances and control of tho affairs of tho association were received. The president, Mr. E. 11. Sutherland, presided, and tliore was a fair attendance .of members. A comprehensive report was presented by Mr. H. Wilding, who acted with Mr. T. 15. Mooney, the other member of the committee, as the investigating accountant. The investigation was authorised at the annual meeting of the association in April and a number of questions was submitted for inquiry. After making a thorough investigation of tho books Mr. Wilding dealt with these questions. A number of them referred to comparatively minor matters but the most important was that dealing with the 19.il Poppy Day Fund. 'I he amount collected had been reported to be £1324, but the investigator was unable from the books of the association to say how much was actually received. In dealing with tho disbursement of these and other funds entrusted to the association. Mr. Wilding said the method appeared to bo that the money was withdrawn from the association's bank and deposited in a savings bank and was then paid out. A record of these payments was kept in books called "disbursement books" and presumably supported by vouchers. Unfortunately these disbursement books could not be produced and the supporting vouchers from which the books might be reconstructed also were missing. General Administration A report by Mr. Mooney on the general administration of the affairs of the association also was presented. The president said it was for the members to degide what action, if any, should be taken in the light of the reports. They had a duty not only to their members but to the general public who contributed largely to their finances and whose confidence must be retained. Mr. E. H. Sharpe, a former secretary of the association, said all amounts received from Poppy Day collections were correctly entered in the books. In regard to tho trust moneys he had been in the habit of showing these separately in the balance-sheets, but he had been instructed to group them together. After some further explanation Mr. Sharpe was warmly applauded by the meeting. Balance-sheet Adopted There was a demand from a member of the audience for information as to who was responsible for losing the books. The chairman replied that he was not able to give an answer. It was explained by Mr. Sharpe that these books were in the office for some time after he left the position of secretary. There was some further discussion during which it was suggested that no benefit could be gained from further action, and it was accordingly moved that no action be taken and that the balance-sheet held over from the annual meeting be adopted. An amendment to the effect that the reports should be referred to an independent solicitor was defeated and the motion was carried by a large majority. Objection was taken by a number of members to the action of the honorary treasurer, Mr. Clark, in conferring with smaller associations in tho Auckland district with a view to reorganising the movement, without first consulting the Auckland executive. A motion that he be asked to resign his post was defeated.