RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22957, 12 August 1936, Page 11

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The monthly meeting of ’ the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night and was attended by Messrs H. L, Paterson (president), J. S. Skinner, C. L. Calvert, J. M. White, N. R. Wilson, G. H. Ferens, A. Duncan. W K. Cameron, A. J. Gordon, and A, B. Natusch Nominations for six new members and two honorary members were received. There had been one inward transfer and one outward transfer These were approved.

a Three members had died during the month.

It was reported that the amount now available for relief purposes was £1589 11s Bd. There had been 121 applications for work, and these had been dealt with.

The committee also submitted the report of the recently-appointed liaison officer. The committee was very pleased with the officer’s activities and found that his services were fully appreciated and he was doing excellent and much-needed work. —Both reports were adopted. The Anzac Day Committee submitted a comprehensive report on several proposals to improve the cenotaph in the Queen’s Gardens. It was mainly in relation to people having lunch on the steps that complaints had been made.—The report was referred back to the executive for further consideration. Mr Paterson said it was now imperative that they should make arrangements for the visit to England for the coronatio.. of King Edward next year, if they intended to carry out the tentative programme. The proposal to charter a ship had been a fairly popular one so far, and it was time that they went into details regarding the cost-per member, a suitable ship, and parly arrangements. They could wear some kind of “ mufti" uniform, make it a purely Returned Soldiers' Association pilgrimage, use the ship as the headquarters in England and visit the battlefields of France. This, of course, would not be the official Governmentsponsored contingent.—lt was decided to write to headquarters in Wellington forwarding the suggestions. It was mentioned that the Commissioner of Pensions, who had been very considerate to the returned soldier pensioners, had been appointed one of the Public Service Commissioners.—lt was decided to send a letter of congratulation to the commissioner on his promotion. A member staled that since many train services had been or would be dispensed with many soldier pensioners

would suffer because ot the loss of free passes or privilege fares, and their privileges could not be used on the bus services substituted.—lt was decided to forward the matter immediately to the Dominion Executive. Mr Paterson said that at the next meeting he intended to table a remit dealing with the training of young people for war. He asked members to consider the world political situation and to ask themselves if New Zealand was or was not prepared for fighting. He expected a full discussion *on the subject. Mr Wilson appealed for a more harmonious feeling between the nations, stating that Germany was not now an enemy and Japan had a great deal of common economic interest with New Zealand and Australia The returned soldiers themselves could make preparations for military training.