RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22903, 10 June 1936, Page 11

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night when there were present: Mr H. L. Paterson (president), and Messrs A. M'Hutchon, W. F. Forrester, J. S. Skinner, C. L. Calvert, A. Duncan, G. H. Ferens, J. M. White, A. J. Gordon, W. K. Cameron, A. B. Natusch, P. S. Anderson, and 0. L. Ferens (secretary). MEMBERSHIP. It was reported that the figures in the membership campaign were at present as follows^ —Dunedin 1331, Christchurch 1060. Sixteen applications for membership were received and were granted. The secretary reported that a canvass for members was being carried out in Palmerston as a result of the lust yeunion. UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF. Mr Calvert said that a suggestion had been made at a previous meeting that an almoner should be appointed who would endeavour to get in touch with ex-sqidiers who were in economic or physical distress and obtain assistance for them. He thought the idea was a good one as it sometimes happened that an ex-soldier had been ill for some time and if lie was not in a hospital, the association was not aware of it. Mr Anderson remarked that the suggestion appeared to be a good one. The president stated that the matter had been referred to the Unemployment Committee and a report would be submitted at a later meeting for discussion. TRANSPORT SOUVENIR. A letter was received from Mr J. H. Duncan, manager for Messrs H. L. Tapley and Co., Ltd., Dunedin, in connection with a request which had been made by the association that, in the event of the Port Shipping Line selling the Port Napier, which had been known as the Hawke’s Bay Transport No. 9 during the war, the silver plate on the ship commemorating this fact should be presented to the association. The London directors, of the line had been approached, and they had now replied that, if the vessel were sold, they would be pleased to grant the association’s request. They would also make an endeavour to retain one of the ship’s belle as an additional souvenir for tho association. Members expressed gratification at the courtesy of the directors and of Mr Duncan’s efforts in connection with the matter CORRESPONDENCE, The officer commanding the Southern Command, New Zealand Defence Forces, wrote inviting the association to parade at the Oval on the King’s Birthday, when a march would bo held to the Town Hall, where a service would be conducted. A review of the armed forces would take place at the Oval prior to the march. — It was decided to apply for seating space for 100 at the saluting base at the Oval. The secretary of the Waikouaiti branch wrote asking the association to suggest a date for its reunion.—July 4 was proposed as a suitable date. The secretary of the South African War Veterans’ Association wrote thanking the association for its co-operation in the past, and expressing the hope that similar pleasant associations would be continued.—Received.