RETURNED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22412, 7 May 1936, Page 14

RETURNED SOLDIERS

TE AWAMUTU ACTIVITIES ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCE [fhom our own correspondent] ' TE AWAMUTU, Wednesday The annual meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association was held in the Town Hal! last evening. The president, Mr. N. McAlister, presided over an attendance of about 60 members. In reviewing the year's activities, Mr. McAlister said the roll now stood at 195 members, which was a slight decrease on the previous year, due to a number of members having left the district. During the year tho relief officer had dealt with 216 applications for assistance, and relief had been granted in necessary cases. Ten pension applications had also been handled successfully. The executive had been workiug on a scheme for suitably marking the graves of returned soldiers in the local cemetery. It was anticipated that the coming year would see considerable development in this direction. From £4O to £SO was now availablo for tho purpose. The receipts from tho Poppy Day collection last year amounted to £sl 9s. This year, in spite of adverse weather conditions, tho returns to date showed that last year's total would be exceeded. He congratulated members on tho record muster at the Anzac Day parade. Nearly 100 members paraded. Tho statement of finances revealed a satisfactory position, receipts exceeding expenditure by £l9.

The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. W. McGill; vice-presidents, Messrs. N. McAlister, J. Oliphant, J. C. Self; committee, Messrs. A. W. Skinner, D. Clark, W. G. Neil (Te Kawa), J. B. Roberton, L. Cook, J. Stcrritt, and J. A. Marston ; country delegates, Messrs. T. G. Armitage (To Kawa), G. A. Gifford (Arohena), T. L. Skerman (Puahue), D. McLeay (Pokuru), E. Wilson (To Rore), F. Gooder (Wharepuhunga), R. Godfree (Parawera); relief officer, Mr. J. Oliphant; secretary, Mr. H. T. Hasolden; treasurer, Mr. C. M. Whitehouse; auditor, Mr. C. 0. Edmonds. A resolution was carried urging that a deputation from the next annual conference should wait upon tho Prinio Minister to draw his attention to the fact that returned soldier settlers had received no benefit from tho general 20 per cent reduction in rent and interest, and that they were likely to lose their preference and benefits under the proposed new mortgage legislation. The meeting unanimously decided to oppose any alteration to the general observance of Anzac Day as a close public holiday. It was stated that tho increased attendances of returned men throughout the country at Anzac Day parades was a clear indication of the wishes of returned men on the subject. * ■

KAWAKAWA ASSOCIATION INCREASED MEMBERSHIP [bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] KAWAKAWA. Wednesday At the annual meeting of the Kawakawa Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. S. H. Kerr presided over an attendance of 30 members. Tho financial statement showed a credit of £45. Tho election of officers resulted:— Patron, Captain H. M. Rushworth, M.P.; president, Captain P. S. Stanley; vice-president, Mr. F. Barke; secretary, Mr. J. D. Jack; treasurer, Mr. S. 11. Kerr; committee, Messrs. G. Rotherlian), R. Reid, D. J. Rear, D. A. Lusk, N. McMillan and B. C. Squire; auditor, Mr. T. J. V. Dunlop. An increased membership was reported.