EX-SERVICEMEN'S LOYALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21919, 3 April 1933, Page 5

EX-SERVICEMEN'S LOYALTY

MEMBERSHIP OF ASSOCIATIONS Another year in the membership campaign conducted by the Dunedin and Christcliurch Returned Soldiers' Associations was completed with the closing of the financial year, Dunedin for the third year in succession, being behind the northern body in membership. This contest was inaugurated in 1924 with the object of improving the rolls of both bodies, and from the outset the success of the scheme was apparent. Dunedin was successful in maintaining the lead for seven years, Christcliurch having the larger membership for the first time in 1931. During the past year the contest has been followed with interest not only by ex-servicemen but by many others, "and a certain amount of disappointment was felt locally when the northern organisation was able to report the better total in November of last year. At this stage the figures were: Christcliurch 1817, Dunedin 1719. From that time onwards Dunedin was unable to regain the lead, and the year ended with the figures: Christcliurch 2255, Dunedin 1962. The following table shows the yearly total since the contest was commenced: —

Duncdin. •Christchurcli 1924 .. .. 2019 1804 3925 .. ., 1706 1458 1920 .. .. 1077 1105 1927 .. .. 1528 1154 1928 .. .. 1532 1222 ]929 .. .. 1505 1345 1930 .. .. 1557 1444 1931 .. .. 1054 1942 1932 .. .. 1801 1927 1933 .. .. 1902 2255