SOLDIERS’ WELFARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24913, 12 May 1942, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ WELFARE

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION The value of the arrangement by which the work of the old body, the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association, has been co-ordinated with that of the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council was stressed by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen), who presided at the annual meeting of the former body yesterday. Moving the adoption of the annual report, the Mayor said that the co-ordination, which had been carried out, not by an amalgamation of the old and new bodies, but by setting-up a representative organisation for the control of both, was a commonsense arrangement, more especially as ** saved the incurring of duplicate expense, and made for economy ■in administration. . Since the new system was inaugurated in August last, the Mayor continued, he did not know, of one hitch, and both bodies were to be congratulated on coming to such a sensible arrangement. He hoped that the good work wo, yld, continue, so Tong .as thetwo organisations w£re hi existence.

Surplus ,of £28,000

Commenting on the financial statement, Mr Allen said that this indicated careful administration. . It was interesting to note that in the past three years .the expenditure had decreased by approximately £ 1000. There was still, however, a considerable call on the funds, but, fortunately, there was still a surplus of assets over liabilities of £28,000. The motion was seconded by Mr James Begg, who briefly reviewed the activities of the Finance Committee. He said it was inevitable that, so far as could be seen, the fund would evaporate altogether in about 10 or 12 years’ time. Mr J. L. Salmond, on behalf of the Soldiers and Dependents’ Welfare Committee, said that the work it had done during the year showed that the fund was still necessary. There were still a great many applications for assistance, and in cases where war pensions required subsidising, and of exceptional sickness, grants from the fund had afforded welcome assistance. Many men might now be said to be suffering from two wars, and it was the duty of the association to assist them as much as possible. The report was adopted. Election of Officers

The Mayor was re-elected president and Messrs J. L. Salmond and Ri A. Johnston vice-president and treasurer respectively. The following Executive Committee was elected:—Messrs P. S. Anderson. James S. P. Cameron, W. K. Cameron, J. S. Douglas, A. Duncan, W. E. Earnshaw, O. L. Ferens, A. J. Gordon, Edgar Hazlett, A. C. Laing. G. Z. Lindley, J. J. Marlow, A. McHutchon. J. H. Don Miller, H. L. Paterson, J. T. Paul, S. G. Secular. J. S. Skinner. S. B. Smith, W. Downie Stewart. J. M. White, and W. F, Forrester.