THE R.S.A.

Southland Times, Issue 21087, 20 May 1930, Page 8

THE R.S.A.

ANNUAL MEETING

PRESIDENT’S APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

WORK STEADILY INCREASING

The lecture hall of the Y.M.C.A. w&s filled at 8 o’clock last evening when Mr J. Tait presided over the annual meeting, of the Invercargill' Returned Soldiers’ Association. In opening the meeting Mr Tait said that he was very pleased to see so many present, because it showed a keen interest in the affairs of the association which had not been evident in the past. In previous years there had sometimes been difficulties in obtaining a quorum, and for that reason, the number present was very gratifying, and he hoped that the meeting would be a successful one. ,

In moving the adoption of the report (previously published), Mr Tait referred to the Armistice Day service which had first been embarked on in 1929. He was of the opinion that the service, though brief, should be continued in the coming years. If the civil authorities cared to take the organizing of the service in hand it might be as well to let them do so, but the association should give it hearty support. Continuing, Mr Tait, referred briefly to the various matters dealt with in the report. In speaking of the expression of appreciation to the War Funds Association contained in the annual report, Mr Tait said that it might not be the individual opinion of those present, but the executive felt that the War Funds Association deserved appreciation. The association had been ever ready to attend to any matter referred to it by the R.S.A., and the executive knew that the War Funds Association was doing its best for returned soldiers. Mr Tait concluded with an energetic appeal for niore support for the association, and said he considered that there should be at least 1000 returned men in Southland who were able to pay their subscriptions to the association. If they would do that the association would have £5OO per annum for the work which it was required to attend to. That work was increasing instead of diminishing, and he appealed to every returned soldier present to do his best to e'nroll at least one more member for the good of the work of the association. Mr J. W. Puckey seconded the motion, and in doing so added an appeal to that made by Mr Tait. He stated that the work of the association was becoming more and more important to the dependents of comrades who were dying prematurely through the effects of war-time experiences. It was the duty of all returned soldiers, he said, to support their association for the sake of the widows and children of their comrades.

In speaking to the report, Mr J. Johnston referred to the annual reunion and asked if it was a reunion or only a complimentary dinner to his Excellency the GovernorGeneral. If it was a reunion, he asked why all returned soldiers had not been advised that it was to be held.

Padre J. Chisholm also spoke to the report and was greeted with applause when he referred to the work which had been done during the year. He also appealed for more support and suggested that members should show their interest in their comrades by doing as much field work as possible. His suggestion was that they should cooperate with the War. Funds Association'by keeping in touch with their less fortunate comrades and by bringing their troubles before the two associations when they were in need of help. The padre also spoke of forming a “Big Brother” movement for the assistance of youths whose fathers had fallen in the war or died in post-war ,years. The sons of these, soldiers were,getting old enough to make their own way in the world, and he suggested that the returned soldiers should take an interest in them and help them on in the world.

Mr F. G. Hall-Jones spoke in support of the padre’s remarks and congratulated him on -the suggestions he had made. He alro referred to the way in which Colonel J Hargest had worked for the men on the land.

In replying to the speakers, Mr Tais said that the executive appreciated the remarks and the suggestions which had been made. He expressed appreciation of Colonel Hargest’s work and said.that the association had been well served by him. In >eplying to Mr Johnston’s question, Mr Tait said that the dinner in question was a nunion, but it was run by the Soldiers’ Club trustees, because the association was net financially able to bear a loss if a loss should occur. As it happened there was a loss and that was borne by the Soldiers’ Club funds. As it was realized that a poor attendance would be anything but a compliment to his Excellency, circulars were sent out. The circulars were not an invitation, but an appeal for support; the invitation was advertised m the newspapers. When a returned soldiers’ reunion was advertised every soldier was welcome to come, whether he was a member of the association or not. It did not matter whether'circulars were received or not; every returned soldier was welcome. The report was adopted. The acting-secretary (Mr W. McGill) presented the balance-sheet and reported on the Poppy Day sales, which amounted to £614 16/-, with three country returns and a number of donations still to come in. There was still a balance of £B3 from the previous year’s sales. The balance-sheet was adopted. Election of Office-bearers. The following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr J. W. Puckey; chairman of executive, Mr R. Lepper; executive, Messrs J. Johnston, P. Gilfedder, J. Roderique, P. Baldwin; vice-presidents, Messrs F. G. HallJones, R. Watson, J. Hargest, J. Chisholm, J. Tait, M. Mclntosh, and A. R. Smart; associate vice-presidents, Messrs S. M. Macalister, D. Cuthbertson, C. Bradfield, W. Buchan, E. Stopford, R. R. Binney, H. P. Fougere, J. B. Thomson, H. Parker, W. Bell, L. Scott, H. R. Kingsland, J. Waddell, D. Leckie, R. Lambert, G. Agnew, Drs R. H. Hogg, A. pwen-Johnston, A. T. *McCaw, J. G. Crawford, H. Gibson and R. Burns Watson; hon. auditor, Mr H. R. Wilcox; representative to the War Funds Association, the Rev. J. Chisholm. The Edendale Sub-Assoication wrote stating that its annual reunion was to be held on Saturday next, and extended a cordial invitation to Invercargill returned soldiers to attend.