RETURNED SOLDIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22631, 24 July 1935, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS

DUNEDIN ASSOCIATION A meeting of the Dunediu Returned Soldiers’ Association executive was held last night. The president (Mr A. S. Falconer) was chairman, and the following were present:—Messrs A. M'Hutchon, W. F. Forrester, J. S. Skinner. L. Calvert, A. Duncan, A. J. Gordon, A. Thomas,.P. S. Anderson, H. L. Paterson and J. M. White. LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION. A deputation representing the local branch of the League of Nations Union Council waited on the executive and expressed a strong desire to establish closer relations between the Returned Soldiers’ Association and the union. The deputation consisted of the Rev. Dr E. N. Merrington, Mr H. P. Kidson and the Rev. J. Douglas Smith. Dr Merrington said that, speaking as a returned man and a member of the local branch of the League of Nations Union, the one sentiment that animated most returned men was that the younger men of to-day and tjieir children would never be called upon to gb to war. There were several reasons why returned men were so animated,' and one was the spirit amongst men to prevent war, another was to do their duty for their country if called upon, and the third to fight if it was a war of defence. Dr Merrington said he represented a union of sound conviction, and that union would do everything possible to avoid such a frightful calamity as the last war. The members of the association executive had seen the horrors of war. and many of them bore the marks of that terrible conflict. The question was often asked, what were they doing to prevent another war? The answer to that was the League of Nations represented the only way of suppression of war. The Returned Soldiers’ Association would cooperate with the League of Nations Union, and Dr Merrington suggested that the association executive nominate a member to represent it on the council of the union. ,

Mr 11. P. Kidson supplemented tlie remarks made by Dr Merrington, and referred to the work that was being accomplished by the union. The chairman said that every member of the association executive recognised that war was unnecessary. It was the duty of every man to prevent war, unless it was a war of defence. He, however, was disappointed with the efforts made by the League of Nations since its establishment. He found that while its policy was sound, it had failed to carry out its policy. So far as the association joining the league was concerned, he wished to say that every member of the executive was overworked at present, and he did not agree to any member taking over additional duties. Tiie executive, however. would give the proposal every consideration. There were not many returned men who were itching for war. After the deputation had retired several members of the executive expressed their views on Dr Herrington’s proposal. The majority of the speakers were in fa_vour of the association giving its full sunnort. Mr Paterson moved that the associa-

tion subscribe to the ideals of the League of Nations and become a member of the local union. The motion was seconded by Mr Gordon and carried. It was decided to leave the appointment of an association representative on the union until the next meeting. MEMBERSHIP. Seven nominations for membership and one nomination for honorary membership wore received, and one inward and one outward transfer approved. The secretary reported that the membership of the association was 1689, and the membership of the Christchurch Association was 1338. UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE. The report of the Unemployment Committee, submitted by Mr MTlutcbon, stated that up to July 15 80 applications for relief from members had been received and various recommendations approved. Grants of coal had been forwarded to the committee from the Kaitangata Sub-association, and the coal had been distributed to necessitous cases. Allocations to six county districts amounting to £66 had been made. The Port Chalmers Committee had delivered one bag of coal free to unemployed men over a period of two weeks. A motion to the effect that the allocation of work in August, September, and October be one day per month, the men to be paid at the rate of 10s per day, had been issued.

—The report was adopted. SUB-ASSOCIATION MEETINGS. The secretary stated that the Roxburgh Sub-association would hold a function on August 8, the reunion of the Balclutha Sub-association would be held on August 10, and a special meeting of the Palmerston Sub-association would be held on August 2. PENSIONS COMMITTEE. The Pensions Committee reported that a better method of allocating free passes admitting certain returned members was asked for by the secretary of the Eorbury Park Trotting Club. It had been recommended that the secretary of the Trotting Club and the secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club be asked to attend a meeting of the committee. —The recommendation was approved. WAR MUSEUM COMMITTEE. The War Museum Committee’s report, submitted by Mr Skinner, stated that communications had been received from Sir Charles Statham and Mr W. Downio Stewart in connection with art unions. In regard to the proposed extension of the club buildings, the committee recommended that consideration bo given to the raising of debentures for this purpose. Should the extension be proceeded with, it would mean an increase of revenue from the rent of the social hall.—The report wag approved. COMMUNITY SINGING. The secretary reported that the last association community singing session had resulted in a net piofit of £23 14s. A total sum of £4l 2s had been received, the expenses amounting to £l7 Bs. Several members expressed their pleasure at the popularity of the functions hold by the association. AVENUES OF TREES. The secretary read a circular in connection with the initial steps taken in the North Island to bring into effect an avenue of trees throughout both islands. The idea was to perpetuate in the chil*

dren and posterity the planting of English trees. The secretary stated that the circular had been distributed by Sir H. Hope Gibbons, of Wanganui, the originator of the scheme, to commemorate the King’s silver jubilee by planting avenues of trees, preferably a line of English trees and a line of New Zealand native trees. The members were unanimous in their support of the proposal. It was pointed our, that the amenities of the country could be greatly improved in this manner. It was stated that such a scheme would provide opportunities for placing returned soldiers in employment, as the men’s services could be utilised in maintaining the avenues. The Chamber of Commerce, Amenities Society, and other local bodies, it was understood, were also interested in the scheme. It was decided to place a recommendation before the forthcoming conference of the association fully supporting the proposal.