EMPIRE SUNDAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26689, 7 February 1948, Page 6

EMPIRE SUNDAY

VETERANS’ PROPOSAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING The inauguration of Empire Commemoration Sunday, to be held annually on the Sunday nearest to Empire Day, was yesterday recommended to the annual conference of the South African War Veterans' Association by Canon A. H. Norris, a member of the Christchurch branch. The proposal was approved by the delegates. “ It would be a day of thanksgiving and remembrance of all those who have helped to build and maintain the Empire,” said Canon Norris. At a meeting in Christchurch convened by the local branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association, representatives of other bodies had given their support to the scheme, which would be first observed on May 23 this year “Many people are to-day decrying the Empire and trying to undermine its foundations,’’ Canon Norris said. “We wish to show that the Empire is not decadent.” He hoped that all interested organisations would support the proposal, he added. The daj» would be observed by religious bodies. It was decided that branches of the association should ask the Mayors of their respective towns to call meetings of any interested bodies to establish Empire Commemoration Day on the Sunday nearest to Empire Day. Request for Subsidy “About £5,000,000 is held by various patriotic bodies throughout the country, but we are unable to obtain any of these funds,” said Mr G. B. Carter (Gisborne). “The association is in urgent need of money for the upkeep and extensions of veterans’ homes, and I would like to move that the Government be asked to allocate the proceeds from one of the monthly art unions for this purpose.” One delegate referred to the scheme initiated by the N.Z.R.S.A. for raising £200,000 for a similar purpose. Although this would possibly detract from the success of their own efforts, 42 veterans were at present waiting admission to homes, and any action towards getting them settled would be a step in the right direction. After further discussion the motion was carried. Election of Office-bearers The office-bearers elected were:— Dominion president, Mr E. J. Harvey (Blenheim); senior vice-president, Mr R. N. Metcalfe (Palmerston North); vice-presidents—Messrs W. W. Dunkley, A. Beck (Christchurch), W. Wood, D. Wilson (Wellington), J. J. O’Riley (Wanganui), D. Reid (Palmerston North), A. Duncan (Dunedin), R. Tonkin (Hutt), J. A. Hurrey (Gisborne), Colonel W. J. M. Bourchier (Auckland); representative on Disabled Servicemen’s Re-establishment League. Mr J. I. Goldsmith (Wellington); Executive Committee—Messrs E. Porter F. Chittock, E. Laverty, W. J. Mitchell. W. Kidd. C. F. Williams and W D Campbell (all of Timaru); representatives on N.Z.R.S.A. Committee— Messrs C. H. Ritzema and W. Wood (Wellington): Dominion secretary, Mr W. H. Hayman.