SOLDIERS' PERMANENT CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 37

SOLDIERS' PERMANENT CLUB.

DUTY TO THE BOYS AT THE FRONT. AUCKLAND, February 6. A proposal by the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association to establish a permanent club in Auckland came before the executive of the Patriotic Association to-day. A telegram received from the Minister of Internal Affairs read as follows :—'' I have received a letter from the Returned Soldiers' Association requesting authority to make an appeal to the public for £50,000 for the ereoton of a permanent Soldiers' Club in Auckland. For your information I have to state that the law has been amended and it would appear that my approval of the proposal, as war funds, may be necessary. |I think the erection of expensive clubs, which will cost a considerable annual sum -for maintenance after erection, is very questionable. As regards the desirability of a distinction between returned soldiers and the rest of the people, this should be discouraged rather 'than - accentuated. The men should be encouraged to return • to their civilian occupations and associations. The further patriotism of the people should be directed to supporting existing patriotic funds for the benefit of suffering soldiers and their dependents • rather than to clubs and places of entertainment. The war is not yet over, and many more claims will come for the assistance of our brave men and those who are dependent on them. Under the circumstances I regret that I cannot, without the consent of Cabinet, approve of the fund. I snail bring the matter before Cabinet as early as possible." The chairman of the association said he had telegraphed to ; the effect that the views of the Minister represented the attitude of the association. The chairman's action was endorsed. February 8. As the result of an expression of opinion by Mr Gunson, the Mayor, that the erection of the new soldiers' club should be postponed until after tbo -wax, the Returned Soldiers' Association passed a resolution affirming that the Mayor's action was directly opposed to the interests of the returned soldiers, and they called upon the Mayor to resign his position as president of the Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr Gunson thereupon tendered his resignation. DEPUTATION TO HON. MR RUSSELL WELLINGTON, February 11. A deputation from the New Zealand Returned Soldier*' Aasooiatiftn waited u©on

the Hon. G. W. Russell with reference to his remarks regarding- the proposed expenditure of large Bums On permanent clubs for returned soldiers. •

The deputation expressed the opinion that the clups were a good Influence generally, and) assisted considerably in the repatriation of soldiers. The Hon. Mr Russell said that he would not himself give a decision in tile matter, but would tako the opinion of the Cabinet.