RETURNED SOLDIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23858, 12 July 1939, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS

MEETING OF DUNEDIN EXECUTIVE

THE CALL FOR RECRUITS

The fortnightly meeting of the executive committee of the Dunedin bfanch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night. Mr J. M. White presided, and there were also present Messrs W. F. Forrester. A. McHutchon, L. G. Hill. A. Duncan. G. H. Ferens, S. G. Scoular, R. Duerdon, W. H. Thomson. N. R. Wilson, and W. E. Earnshaw. . 1

Defence Appeal

Mr N. R. Wilson reported having interviewed Major Bongard on the matter of the resnonse of returned men between the ages of 35-55 years to the defence appeal. The response had not been heayy, mainly owing to the fact that it had not been made clear exactly what conditions of service the signing of the forms entailed. The president stated that many returned men were already in “ key ” positions. In his opinion it had been a mistake to print “ only 1000 men required ” on the forms distributed to the returned men. as it had automatically “ killed " the appeal from the start.

It was decided that a letter should be sent to the Defence Department pointing out that recruits were not coming forward for the National Military Reserve (Class 2) owing to the uncertainty of the duties to be allotted to them. It was the committee’s opinion that, in the event of a threat of invasion, all returned men would flock to the colours. They did not wish to be tied down to routine “ police ” duties, as most of the men were in responsible positions which could not be “ shelved ” at a moment’s notice. The suggestion was made, therefore, that Class 2 should be divided into two sections —one for men who were willing and able to accept duty immediately on the threat of hostilities, and a second section for those who would join the fighting forces in the event of actual hostilities.

Motion of Sympathy A motion of sympathy with the relatives of Mr D. M, Park was passed Genera) The membership figures showed that Christchurch (1973) still held a lead over Dunedin (1614) Notice was given ol reunions to be held at Cromwell on November 4, and at Lawrence some time in October There were three applications for membership and one for honorary membership. Two transfers in and three transfers out were reported, and there had been one death during the period.