RETURNED SOLDIERS' BUILDING FUND

Otago Witness, Issue 3418, 19 September 1919, Page 23

RETURNED SOLDIERS' BUILDING FUND

A meeting under the auspices of the D-unedin Returned Soldiers' Association was held in the Public Hall at Palmerston on Friday. The meeting was held for the purpose of making arrangements ior a thorough canvass of the Palmerston, district in order to assist the Returned Soldiers' Building Fund, and despite the inclement weather was "very well attended. The Mayor of Palmerston (Mr Clark) occupied the chair, and briefly introduced .Mr J. H. Walker, chairman of the Building Fund Committee. Mr Walker gave a brief outline of the work accomplished by the Anzac Club. This club,, he fitaccd, had served a useful purpose in the past, but was totally inadequate for present needs. The proposed structure would be erected on the same site, which was undoubtedly the most convenient and central in the city. He assured the people of Palmerston that Dunodin was not at all parochial in the project. The club was not for the use- solely of Bunedin soldiers, but would be open to all members of his Majesty's Forces. The Rev. Mr Griffith, in a forceful and telling speech, reminded those present of his last visit to Palmerston. He was then recruiting, and' he thought it lifting that, as on the pevious occasion he had been instrumental in enlisting volunteers for the war, he should on this occasion be endeavouring to secure some compensation for those who had returned. He reminded those present that while the war was being waged the people of New Zealand were unanimous in pledging the last man and the last shilling. He asked them not to forget that pledge now that the war was won, but to pledge the last acre and the last bushel, if need be, to give our returned soldiers what they wanted —in this instance a memorial hall worthy of themselves. Dr T. Harrison (president of the Returned Soldiers' Association) briefly outlined the aims and policy of the association. He urged all returned soldiers to pull together for their common welfare. The present, he assured them, was the most critical time in the association's history, and whether they were to live or die would depend on the events of tho next 12 months. He asked that a committee from those present be formed to make a thorough canvass of the district. He was euro, from his personal knowledge of the district, that the result would be very gratifying. The Mayor expres&ed himself as being heartily in sympathy with tho returned soldiers and willing to do all in his power to further any project which would compensate them for the sacrifices Ihey had made. He thanked all present for their attendance, and on behalf of the residents of Palmerston thanked the visitors for a very entertaining and instructive evening. Tho various speeches were interspersed with musical item 3 rendered by Messrs Laidlaw, G. and T. Harvey, and A. Maitland. Mr G. Kitchen proved an efficient accompanist. It is worthy of note that all the musical items were provided by members of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association. After the meeting the hall wa3 cleared and dancing was indulged in until the small hours of tho morning.