WAR FUNDS

Southland Times, Issue 20174, 10 May 1927, Page 7

WAR FUNDS

SOUTHLAND ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING HELD REPLY TO RECENT CRITICISM. The main feature of the annual meeting of the Southland War Funds Association, which was held yesterday morning, was the reply by the President (Mr. H. W. Royds) to the criticism that recently appeared in one of the Invercargill papers in the form of anonymous letters. Those present at the meeting were Messrs H. W. Royds (chair) F. W. Brown, D. McDonald, J. Fisher, A. McKenzie, J. S. A. McDougall, K. G. McKenzie, F. M. Murray, H. E. Niven, T. McCarroll, C. Bennett, D. Cuthbertson, Rev. J. Chisholm and Dr. Trotter. PRESIDENTS REMARKS. In formally moving the adoption of the annual report (already published) and balance sheet, Mr. Royds mentioned that at a Dominion Conference of patriotic societies last year it was stated that the total expenditure for the year in New Zealand was £56,442 5s 9d. Southland’s share was £3726. In area Southland represented only one-seventeenth of New Zealand, and its share on that basis would have been £3320, so that the amount that had actually been expended was in excess of its strict proportion. He did not attach special significance to those figures, but they were of passing interest, and showed that there was some uniformity in the system of expenditure. UNEMPLOYMENT. Throughout the year there had been a certain amount of unemployment but the Returned Soldiers’ Association through its Poppy Fund had been able to deal with most cases. It seemed that a hard winter was ahead and that there would be greater unemployment. But the Returned Soldiers’ Association, their own association, and citizens generally, realised the necessity of doing all that was possible so that returned soldiers should not suffer. The future could be faced with a feeling that the position would be dealt with satisfactorily. FINANCE. The year’s work had gone on in a normal way. The expediture had reduced the main fund by £1522, after the main fund had been augmented by £1617 interest. That brought him to the matter of the expenditure of the funds. There were those who thought that the money was not being spent fast enough. In years £42,495 10/- had been spent. Of that £BOBS had been distributed in the last two years, and £11,900 in the last three years. The life of the fund at that rate was not such a long one. The revenue account showed normal expenditure considering the machinery necessary to carry on. Temporary advances showed little change from the previous year, the repayments being almost the same as the advances. The expenditure under that head had been of great benefit to many soldiers, and in the main the responses had been splendid. ENWOOD PROPERTY. Mr. Royds said that the Enwood property had been in the limelight lately. Negotiations were, however, practically completed whereby the property would be disposed of at a price quite satisfactory to the Association. He would like to say that during the time the property had been vacant parts had been let at adequate rentals. A small section of the community evidently thought the property had been a white elephant. He recalled the fact that the property at the time it was taken over was run as a Government institution. The £3OOO the War Funds Association had put into it had been regarded as an investment and the money would return to the funds. The Enwood property had been no drag on the funds and the money invested had come out of the general war fund. ANONYMOUS CRITICISM. Mr. Royds said that during the last week or two there had appeared in one of tho daily papers anonymous letters criticising certain aspects of the association’s work. The comments contained in those letters were so misleading that be deemed it advisable to take the opportunity of stating the true position. Such letters were not really entitled to any consideration, but on that occasion certain statements should in justice be refuted. CONSTITUTION. The affairs of the association were conducted strictly in accordance with its consitiution. An annual meeting jvas necessary and nominations for new members of committee were welcomed. So little interest had been manifested in the annual election of officials that some yearn ago it had been found necessary to amend the regulations to enable the then existing committee to remain in office till their successors had been appointed. Had that not been done there would not have been a meeting sufficiently large to appoint new committees. For several years past there had been returned soldiers on their committee. Last year there were five, and on the emergency committee of six members who carried on the work from week to week three had been returned soldiers. INVESTMENT OF FUNDS. One writer had stated that £20,000 of the funds had been locked up for twenty years. That was quite wrong. In 1927 £IOOO fell due, in 1928, £1326 19s 2d; in 1929, £1000; in 1930, £3000; in 1931, £13,000; in 1932, £3000; in 1934, £500; and in 1936, £10,500. In other words the total investments fell due in nine years, and over half the full amount, £33,32619s 3d in four years. Apart from that he wished to state that all the investments were liquid. It necessity arose the full amount would be available as soon as required, for the securities were all readily negotiable. The criticism on that head had been most unfair. THE SECRETARY. It had also been suggested through the columns of the Press that the present secretary should be dispensed with and a returned soldier given the position. He would like to refer to the fact that Mr. Farrant had been prevented from serving at the war because he failed to pass the medical examination. The criticism had been most unfair and Mr. Farrant did not deserve to be victimised. He referred to those matter? without the knowledge of Mr. Farrant but he felt justified in so doing. People had just as much right to say that any public or semi-public position should be open only to returned soldiers. THE COMMITTEE. The committee also had earned the displeasure of anonymous’ writers. It was rather strange perhaps for him or any other member of the committee to praise their work but he could not refrain from saying that the work had been carried on in a careful and capable manner. The funds had been conserved but no deserving case had failed to receive due consideration. He was pleased to know that they had the confidence of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Hat! they not carried out their duties well they would not have that confidence reposed in them. It had been openly stated that members received a guinea for every meeting they attended. The statement was so ridiculous that it scarcely needed refuting. Not a member of the committee had ever received remuneration of any sort for services rendered the association. In regard to the criticism of expenditure, it was worthy of mention that the general war fund had been created and fully subscribed before the fund for dependents had been opened. The patriotic committee when it was created was called on to do much that was not demanded to-day. % Later on the Dependents’ Fund had been raised as the result of a queen carnival effort. It had always been a distinct fund and had not been entrenched upon to pay one penny of the cost of its administration, which had been borne by the general fund. The dependents’ fund had remained intact except for money extended in the relief of i soldiers and dependents. -

Mr. Royds repeated that it was distasteful to have to refer to the work of the committee in such plain terms, but he was quite prepared to say that the work done by the executive was as good as that of any welfare organisation he had seen. The assistance the association had received from the public had been wonderful. There was no reason to think that because of the unfair criticism there would be any alteration in policy. He sincerely hoped they would not be at all discouraged, but would carry on as before for the benefit of the returned men and their dependents. He had much pleasure in formally moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet. This was seconded by Mr. F. W. Brown. MEMBERS’ REMARKS. Mr. H. E. Niven said that it seemed invidious for a member to get up and pat his own back, as it were, but he would like to endorse everything the chairman had said regarding the work of the committee and the office. He was glad Mr. Royds had referred to the mean attack on the secretary by anonymous letterwriters. He knew what a great friend the soldiers had in the secretary. No man could give another a more sympathetic hearing than Mr. Farrant. They all were friends of the soldiers as members of the association, and everything that came before the committee received more than sympathetic treatment. Mr. D. Cuthbertson congratulated the chairman on the way he had treated the matter. As a returned soldier himself he would say that no returned soldier could carry out the work better than Mr. Farrant. Rev. J. Chisholm, speaking as representative of the Invercargill Returned Solders’ Association, said that he and his executive had at one time though the funds could be spent more liberally. On investigation, however, both he and his executive had been thoroughly convinced that the policy of the association was best. He was certain the War Funds Association' had the full confidence of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association. At no meeting had he heard exceptional criticism, for they were thoroughly satisfied with the way the work was carried out. Regarding the secretary it would be disastrous if they now got in a returned soldier as secretary. The work would not be done anything like the way it was at present. Mr. Farrant did his work admirably, and no one could be better fitted. He hoped the day would not come when his services would be lost. Mr. Murray stated that the Gore Returned Soldiers’ Association had full confidence in the association and appreciated the good work it was doing. Mr. Bennett, honorary secretary of the Gore Returned Soldiers’ Association also eulogised Mr. Farrant’s work and deprecated the anonymous criticism. Mr. Brown said that he was glad the criticism had appeared, as it gave them the chance of contradicting the erroneous statements and enlightening others who were doubtful of the good work being done. Dr. Trotter said that probably the reason for the criticism was the fact that the work of the committee was necessarily confidential. People forgot that and wanted a finger in the pie. Mr. McCarroll said that he was constantly finding in his work the immense benefit the association had been to the province. Mr. McDougall also spoke endorsing the chairman’s remarks. MR. FARRANT SPEAKS. The secretary, Mr. H. J. Farrant, asked for permission to speak. He appreciated what had been said by members. In regard to the Press correspondence he had been long enough associated with public matters to ignore anonymous letters. Anyone genuinely interested in the work of the association would have come to the right quarter to obtain information. He had done his best and as long as the committee was satisfied he would be pleased to carry on. Outside criticism had no effect on him. (Applause. I The report and balance sheet were then formally adopted. ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL. The business of the annual meeting of the Association having concluded, the annual meeting of the council was held. Mr. H. W. Royds was re-elected president and Mr. J. S. A. McDougall re-elected vicepresident. The same executive was re-appointed except that Mr. R. B. Bannerman was appointed representative for Waikaka in place of Mr. E. R. Bowler. Mr. T. McCarroll brought up the matter of an afforestation scheme to relieve unemployment. This subject is referred to elsewhere in our columns. THE MAIN COMMITTEE. Mr. J. Gilkison was re-appointed chairman of the Main Committee and the same emergency committee as last year was appointed. A motion of appreciation of the services of the Emergency Committee during the past year was carried on the motion of Mr. Bennett. MONTHLY MEETING. When the foregoing business was disposed of the ordinary monthly meeting was held. The secretary submitted the following report showing the approximate financial position as at May 9: INVESTMENTS.

£ a d Invercargill Corporation .. 20,500 0 0 N.Z. Government 500 0 0 8. Building Society 11,326 19 2 Enwood Property 3,270 0 0 35,596 19 2 Advances outstanding .. .. 4,680 11 0 — Total .. 40,277 10 2 RECEIPTS 21st MARCH--9th MAY. £ 8 d Refunds .. 193 15 1 .. 20 12 0 Interest .. 1063 6 9 Total .. 1277 13 10 EXPENDITURE 21st MARCH—9th MAY. £ 8 d Relief Grants .. 467 2 1 Advances .. 339 5 « Wages .. 17 4 0 Rent 7 11 8 Stationer}', etc .. 15 12 6 Admin., etc 89 11 Total .. 936 0 a CURRENT ACCOUNT. £ 8 d Credit Balance at Bank .. .. 458 14 a Less unpresented cheques .. .. 118 17 0 Actual Oedit 9