RETURNED SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 19575, 12 June 1925, Page 11

RETURNED SOLDIERS

INVERCARGILL ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association was held in the Association offices on Tuesday, there being present Rev. J. Chisholm (President), Messrs T. McCarroll, H. R. Willcox, N. D. MacKenzie, B. W. Hewat, C. Bradfield, H. Parker and the secretary. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs G. F. Myers, H. L. Cooper and S. D. Stewart. The secretary reported having received a letter from the Headmaster’s Association recommending that the date for holding Anzac Day Essay Competition be fixed for Friday, June 26. All schools had been circularised to this effect and asked to take part in the competition. The necessary arrangements to enable representatives to be present at the annual re-union to be held at Tuatapere on Wednesday, June 17, were left in the hands of Mr McCarroll. The secretary reported that the subsidised scheme between the Borough Council and the Association for the relief of unemployment among returned soldiers had been put into operation on the Bth inst., eight men being employed on work in the reserves and three men at Sandy Point Domain. The balance sheet in connection with Poppy Day was submitted. The total amount of money obtained from all sources amounted to £437 0s Id, expenses includ- , ing the cost of poppies amounted to £136 Ils, leaving a credit balance of £3OO 9s id. The secretary reported having dealt with 16 cases during the month a general outline of these cases being submitted, and the action taken in regard ,to them was approved. A report dealing with the district conference held in Dunedin on May 22 was submitted by the Rev. J. Chisholm, delegate from the Association, and was adopted. Remits for the annual conference to be held in Dunedin commencing on the 17th inst. were considered and instructions concerning several of them were given the delegate. The question of commencing a cash purchase scheme was held over to the next meeting, particulars regarding discounts, etc., to be obtained and submitted to that meeting. Rev. J. Chisholm, official visitor to the Hospital, reported having regularly visited that institution. The position regarding the policy of the Railway Department in having ex-soldiers medically examined before obtaining casual employment while civilians did not require to be examined, was discussed. It was considered that if medical examinations were necessary then both civilians and returned soldiers should be examined in all cases prior to commencing work and it was resolved that the matter be placed before the annual conference with a view to steps being taken to have this decision given ’effect to.