HOMESERVICEMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25851, 23 May 1945, Page 6

HOMESERVICEMEN

DUNEDIN ASSOCIATION FIRST ANNUAL MATING The first annual general meeting of the Dunedin branch of the New ‘Zealand Homeservicemen’s Association;%as held in the R.S.A. Social Hall last night. Mr S. B. Butler, the president, occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman said the year had been a particularly busy one for the executive. The association had made considerable progress since it was incorporated 15 months ago. It had grown into an important organisation, but steps to increase the membership were necessary. He pointed out that it was only when the membership of the Dominion organisation approached the 10,000 mark that the Government had taken any. notice of it. Referring to the association’s relations with the Returned Services’ Association, Mr Butler stressed that these had been of the happiest, particularly so far as the Dunedin branch was concerned. Both organisations had one objeebj-that of putting forward the claims Of servicemen. He said it was a matter for satisfaction that Mr R. M. Wilkie was a direct representative of the associa-' tion on the Dunedin Rehabilitation Committee. The social activities of the association, which included visits to local hospitals, were dealt with by the speaker, who said that the association was greatly indebted to the chairman of the Social Committee, Mr A. D. Ilealy, for his assistance in connection with this important side of their work. The need for increased membership was also stressed by Mr H. B. Murray (the honorary treasurer), who seconded the motion. The ‘motion was carried without further discussion. The election of office-bearers resulted as follow^: —President, Mr S. B. Butler; vice-president, Mr R. M. Wilkie; treasurer, Mr H. B. Murray; executive— Messrs W. H. Armstrong, A. V. P. Brough, A. D. Healy, E. F. Lenz, A. W. Torrance, W. F. H. Townsend, and H. J. Whitehead.

The retiring members of the executive, Messrs Daglish and T. J. Laing, were accorded votes of thanks for their services. , . • A tribute to the work of the chairman was paid by Mr Daglish, who said that Mr Butler had-attended everv committee meeting held during the year, and had. devoted a good deal of time in furthering the work of the association in other directions. A motion of thanks was carried by acclamation. Mr Healy appealed to members to give better support to the association s social functions. The Social Committee paid regular visits to sick members in hospital, he said, and the gifts provided had been made possible through the generosity of members.