RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3868, 1 May 1928, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of members of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last week in the clubrooms in Moray place, the assembly hall being filled. Mr A. C. Laing (president) occupied the chair. CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. The Chairman, in moving the adoption ot the annual report, said that, in view of the adverse criticism of the association early in its career, it was gratifying to find that it was holding its own. Dunedin, in particular, was doing so. The local association had one-quarter of the financial members of the Dorninion body a total of over 1500—which could be accounted very satisfactory indeed. The speaker referred to the death of Viscount Haig, a great friend of ex-servicemen. His death was particularly untimely in view of the biennial conference of the Ex-servicemen’s League, which was to have been held in Australia and which the late viscount would have been sure to attend. A visit to New Zealand would certainly have followed. The Dominion Association had expressed the New Zealand ex-servicemen’s sympathy. Mr Laing also referred to the death of the late Air J. B. Callan, and members stood out of respect to the memory of the deceased. He said that the question of active membership of the association for ex-members of the mercantile marine had been discussed, and_ the rule had been laid down that intending members must have a discharge from his Majesty’s army or naval forces. An aspect of pensions which was claiming the association’s attention just now was that concerning men breaking down Vc now F as a result of war service. If he had been free from any recourse to the Pensions Board for all the years since the •war, a man was faced with a difficult problem to get his case satisfactorily fixed up at such a late date. He urged members who found themselves in such a position to make, first, application to the secretary. Their case would be more easily handled if it were started correctly. Reference was also made to the gifts sont uj from the country. The club rooms

presented a very unusual appearance a| times by reason of the variety of the goodg housed there. The idea had proved very successful in helping to alleviate gome of th© unemployment distress. Improved types of artificial limbs fop those unfortunate enough to have to uso them still had been given close consideration by the executive, and it was encourag. mg, in view of the fact that unsuitable limbs were being used, that the best types wore to be imported for experimental purposes, the idea being to secure the most generally perfect type. Among the social features of the year referred to were the association’s Christmas tree, made successful by the .liberal response of members and the visit of Sir Andrew Russell. The association owed a debt ■of gratitude to Mr W. B. M’Ewan (city librarian), who had done valuable work in the cataloguing and straightening up of the library. The speaker also mentioned the sub-associations at Lawrence and Port Chalmers, which were carrying on very well. The affairs of the association had been carried out by the executive during tho year to tho best of its ability, and he hoped they were satisfied with the way the affairs of the association had been handled. He had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the annual report. After several members had spoken to the motion, the report was adopted. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Mr W. F. Forrester presented the financial statement foT the year. The deficiency for the year was £123 19s lOd, However, the position was not as bad as it looked as some extraordinary expenditure had been encountered this year which could not be expected to recur again very soon. An example of such expenditure was that involved by extensive improvements to the Club. Anzac Day, too, had helped to swell the deficit, as a considerable loss was experienced in that connection. He would move the adoption of the balance sheet, which was carried. RETIRING PRESIDENT. Air A. ATHutehon, before th e election of the committee came up, asked permission to move a resolution which he considered would affect the election of the new committee. He submitted a resolution providing for an alteration in the rules to allow of the retiring president becoming, ex-officio, a member of the incoming executive. —This was agreed to. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The only nomination for the position of president for the ensuing year was that of Mr H. L. Paterson, who was declared elected. Mr Laing at this stage vacated the chair in his favour, congratulating the meeting on having chosen such a valuable and hard-working member as president. He could assure them that it was a good day for the association when it elected Air Paterson to the executive. The new president thanked the meeting for electing him and Air Laing for his introduction. Only two nominations we.re received for the offices of vice-presidents—Alessrs A. M’Hutchon and H. 11. Walker. Both were elected. Tho remaining offices were filled, as follows: —Treasurer, Air W. F. Forrester; auditors. Messrs J. W. Smeaton and Co.; hon. solicitor, Sir Charles Statham; executive—Alessrs P. S. Anderson, E. J. Anderson, J. S. Skinner, R. Fullarton, R. Holt. D. B. Waddell, A. J. Gordon, and A. G. Leeden. RIFLE CLUB. Referring to the year-old proposal to form a rifle club, -the President sa’d the matter had been investigated. Conditions and rules governing clubs in other centres had been gone into, and it had been decided that the idea was quite a feasible one. Arrangements were now being made for the establishment of a cluo. VOTES OF THANKS. Mr Paterson said the retiring executive owed a deep debt of gratitude to the secretary (Air J. Al. White) and his staff for the efficiency, thoughtfulness, energy, and courtesy that characterised their work. The staff upstairs was also a valuable asset to the club, and well worthy of its hire. He moved that they pass a hearty vote of thanks to the staff, and this was carried by acclamation. Air P. S. Anderson moved a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring president (Air A. C. Laing), who had always been a keen worker on the association’s beh-alf. —Carried. Mr J. M'Crae moved a similar vote to the retiring executive for the work done during the past year.—Carried.