RETURNED SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 19821, 18 March 1926, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS

GORE ASSOCIATION. (From Our Correspondent.) The fortnightly meeting of the committee of the Gore Returned Soldiers’ Association held on Tuesday evening was attended by Messrs F. M. Murray (president), R. Domigan, T. J. Quin, A. H. W. Aitken, W. D. Shelton, F. Foulston, J. Adams, R. Jones, M. Green, C. M. Wilson and G. L. Gerken.

The sub-committee in charge of collecting for the motor ambulance reported that donations were coming in very satisfactorily. Mr F. Murray, who represents theu-asso-ciation on the Southland War Funds Association, reported approaching that body for grants as instructed at last meetting. A grant of £3O with a weekly payment of £2 was made in one case, and small grants in other cases. Mr Murray was thanked for his efforts.

Regarding the conference of War Funds Associations and the R.S.A. with reference to the abolition of district funds and the establishment of one central relief fund for the whole of New Zealand, the sub-commit-tee appointed to go into the matter reported as follows: (1) That each association should have absolute control of its own funds, and should have on its executive representatives of all Returned Soldiers’ Associations in its district. Should the Minister for Internal Affairs have reason to disapprove of the way any association is functioning, he is to be given power to dismiss the committee and appoint a fresh one, but the fund is not to be removed from the control of the district in which it was raised; (2) That the returned soldier (irrespective of whether he is suffering from war disability or not) is qualified by reason of service to receive assistance from patriotic funds at the discretion of the trustees controlling such funds and in accordance with the War Funds Act, 1915; (3) That two or more veterans’ homes be established in New Zealand at an early date; (4) That endeavours be made to fix a uniform system of policy with regard to granting assistance, and that recommendations be accepted from sister associations in referred cases; (5) That in districts where war funds have been spent, committees should be set up and provided with an annual grant from the War Funds Council to relieve cases of necessity and urgency.— The recommendations of the sub-committee were adopted, and the secretary was instructed to send them on to the general secretary, Wellington. The general secretary, Wellington, wrote asking the number of poppies required this year.—lt was decided to hold Poppy Day this year on Saturday, April 24, and the matter of ordering adequate supplies was left in the hands of Messrs Shelton and Aitken.

Mr J. W. Aitken forwarded for the use of the club rooms a cushion with the badge of the 4th Otago Infantry Regiment, worked by himself while in hospital in Melbourne. He hoped it would be found useful.—The gift was accepted with thanks. In connection with the Aitken appeal case, solicitors’ accounts amounting to £lO 9/- were passed for payment. It was decided to minute the appreciation of the association for the services rendered by Messrs Barraclough and Aitken in connection with this case. In connection with Anzac Day services, it was decided to interview Mr McDowell, bandmaster, asking for the assistance of the band on that occasion. The matter of continuing the cash purchase system next year was discussed, and it was decided to let the matter stand over till the annual meeting of the association next month.