WAR FUNDS

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

WAR FUNDS

LOCAL ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

SECRETARY’S WORK PRAISED

The annual meeting of the Southland War Funds Association was held in the Southland League rooms yesterday. The president, Mr J. S. A. McDougall, was in the chair and there were also present : Messrs H. E. Niven (Edendale), F. M. Murray and C. Bennet (Gore), J. A. Stirling (Waimahaka), J. Gilkison and F. G. HaltJones, T. Pryde and the. Rev. ,J. Chisholm (Invercargill), the Rev. G. H. Lawrence (Lumsden), J. Fisher (Otautau), Dan Macpherson (Waianiwa), Dr Trotter (Riverton), D. McDonald (Centre Bush) and A. H. Cockburn (Mataura).

All the foregoing were members of the executive. None of the general public attended, although the meeting was open to them.

In moving the adoption of the annual report (already .published) the chairman said that members would see from the balance-sheet that Hie funds were diminishing and that the demands were nearly as great as ever. Since its inception the association had dealt with 14,963 claims. . If had been found necessary last year to tighten up the advances and loans, particularly the latter. During the year the Rehabilitation Commission had sat and its report was now to hand. If its recommendations were carried out he was sure benefit would result. Mr McDougall concluded by complimenting the secretary (Mr H. J. Farrant) and his assistant (Miss Oughton) on the highly efficient way they carried out their duties.

Mr F. G. Hall-Jones seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. He said that he wished to pay a tribute to Mr Farrant’s work as advocate at the Pensions Appeal Board. His success had been remarkable, 11 out of 14 appeals being upheld. The wisdom of the association’s decision to conserve the funds was being amply borne out. The applications now being received were just as 'great as for several vears nast. The actual figures of relief granted did not by any means indicate all the assistance given. Many applications for assistance were granted by means of guarantees. * Mr H. E. Niven said that he wished to endorse the remarks of the previous speakers regarding the efficiency of the stall. Mr Farrant had during the year been subjected to abuse in certain quarters, abuse which was wholly'unjustified 1 , for Mr Farrant was the ideal man for the position and was a true friend to returned soldiers. Touching on the policy of the association in conserving its funds, Mr Niven said that the wisdom of this was fully justified, but he could say that no deserving case had ever been turned down.

Mr John Gilkison said he was disappointed that none of the general public had attended. In view of the criticism that had taken place the association had advertised that the meeting would be onen to the public. It was hoped that those who wished to criticize the actions of the association would attend, but as none were present it could be assumed that there was no dissatisfaction with the way the association was carrying,out its duties. The Rev. J. Chisholm, speaking as the Representative of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association, said that a spirit of harmony had prevailed between the associations during the year. The official body of the returned soldiers greatly appreciated the wbrk Mr Farrant was doing. There had been some newspaoer criticism of the secretary and the association, but he knew from his connection with the Returned Soldiers’ Association that this newspaper criticism was unjustified and greatly to be regretted. . Referring to the Rehabilitation Commissions’ report Mr Chisholm said that the suggestion regarding the amalgamation of the various interested bodies needed careful looking into. The speaker appealed for closer co-operation between the Returned Soldiers’ Association and the War Funds Association. The R.S.A. should act as the intelligence department of the War Funds Association, which should not have to go to” outside organizations for information. Mr Chisholm suggested that the association might., well discontinue the practice of granting loans. Mr F. M. Murray speaking for the Gore district, thanked the association and its secretary for the attention riven to matters in his area. He paid a tribute to the work of Mr C. Bennet, of Gore. After representatives from other districts had voiced their appreciation of the treatment accorded men in their locality during the year, the report was adopted. Meeting of Council. Following the annual meeting of members, the council held its annual meeting. Mr F. G. Hall-Jones was elected president.

Warm tributes were paid to the services of Mr “J. S. A. McDougall, who had been president for the past two years. The Rev. John Chisholm was Appointed vice-president. The following were appointed to the executive committee: Messrs A. 11. Cockburn (Mataura), D. McDonald (Centre Bush), J. Fisher (Otautau), J. Gilkison (Invercargill), J. S. A. McDougall (Bluff), F. M. Murray (R.S.A., Gore), Dan Macpherson (Waianiwa), H. E. Niven (Edendale), R. B. Bannerman (Waikaka), Dr Trotter (Riverton), C. Bennet (Gore), D. Cuthbertson (Invercargill), T. Pryde (Invercargill), F. G. Hall-Jones (Invercargill), J. A. Stirling (Waimahaka), the Rev. J. Chisholm (R.S.A. Invercargill) and the Rev. G. H. Lawrence (Lumsden). The meeting then considered the following motion, which was moved by Mr Niven at the previous annual meeting“ That tj le sum of £10,009 be set aside for a period of ten years.” In moving the motion last year Mr Niven explained that he was actuated by the fact that many‘returned soldiers might in their old age find themselves in necessitous circumstances. It was decided to hold the matter over until the next annual meeting and in the meantime to obtain opinions front the R.S.A. organizations in Southland. In response to the requests for expressions of opinion the Gore Returned Soldiers’ Association wrote stating that its executive considered that in view of the report of the Rehabilitation Commission Mr Niven’s proposal be held over in the meantime. After the commission’s report had been considered and dealt with by the Government the Gore R.S.A. would be pleased to n;eet the War -Funds Association and discuss the matter. Mr Niven said that he was disappointed that only the Gore R.S.A. had replied to the inquiries made. Since he had moved his motion the Rehabilitation Commission had met and submitted its report. This had affected the position up to a point. The age for the old age pension for returned soldiers had been reduced by five years. _ This would help, but he would rather it had been 10 years and that the reduction had been made to wives also. The need for the conservation of the association’s funds was, however, not greatly affected by the commission's report, i The men whose disability was not directly attributable to war service were those whom the association would have to assist, and it was in order to take care of these men that he sm-’ested that the sum of £10,090 be set aside. In view of the request from the Gore R.S.A., however, he would prefer that the matter be held over as suvyested. Mr J. Fisher said that in July next year there was a’sum of £lO,OOO falling due. He moved as a recommendation to the committee that this sum be re-invested for a period of five years at 5 J per cent., the interest to be compounded so that at the end of the five years a sum of approximately £13,000 would be available for use, possibly in the way Mr Niven suggested. Mr Niven seconded Mr Fisher’s motion.

Mr John’ Gilkison said that he would oppose the motion for two reasons. There was no knowing ■ whether money. would .realize 5J per cent. next-July or.wcre local

bodies likely to be able to ’ accept money for a period of five years. His second objection was that if the sum were set aside for five years many pressing claims during that period might have to be refused for hypothetical cases later. Mr McDougall said that as the money was not falling due until next July there was no need to deal with its disposal until next annual meeting. The recommendation was lost. Loans Limited to £25. The Rev. J. Chisholm moved that the practice of granting loans be discontinued with the exception of approved guarantees and except that the committee be empowered to pay interest on loans raised elsewhere. He said that his motion would bring the association into line with similar organizations in New Zealand and would assist in conserving the funds for advances. Mr Niven, said that he would second the motion if Mr Chisholm placed a limit on the amount and the rate of interest of the loans raised elsewhere the interest on which the association was to pay. Mr Pryde said that such a motion would hamper the work of the association. Every case that came before the committee was different and had to be judged on its merits. Sometimes a loan was the only way to grant relief. ' Mr Murray agreed with Mr Pryde that it would hamper the work of the association. The annual report showed that the bad debts for loans granted amounted to only 11 per cent. This was a sufficient reply to the motion. Mr McDougall said that he feared the motion would hamper the work. Mr Hall-Jones said that.the motion had much to commend it. but he considered that the position could best be met by restricting the maximum amount granted by way of loan to £25. He moved an amendment accordingly. > Mr Chisholm said that this was probably a wise compromise. He asked leave to withdraw his motion and when this was granted he seconded Mr Hall-Jones's motion, which was earned. ;