SOUTHLAND WAR FUNDS

Southland Times, Issue 21219, 21 October 1930, Page 3

SOUTHLAND WAR FUNDS

MEETING OF COUNCIL. A meeting of the council of the War Funds Association held yesterday was attended by twelve councillors. Mr F. G. Hall-Jones (president) occupied the chair. A letter was received from the Wellington War Relief Association enclosing a copy of the Act “for the Re-establlshment of Disabled Soldiers in Civil Employment or Occupation.” The president explained the provisions of the Act, which had now passed its first and second readings. Clause 6 describes the manner of appointing local advisory committees empowered with substantial authority from the Minister, and acting in conjunction with the Commissioner of Pensions. Such committees would include a representative or representatives from the patriotic association. It was also noted that the Bill provides for (if necessary) modifying or suspending wholly or partially (a) all or any of the provisions of any industrial award or industrial agreement; (b) all or any of the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act and the Factories Act. After some discussion it was decided to set up a sub-committee consisting of the president, the vice-president and Mr Cuthbertson, empowered to recommend representatives from the association to the local advisory committee.

The president submitted the quarterly report, which showed the activity so far as the broad policy of the association is concerned, during the period. He congratulated councillors on their continued attention, without which it would be most difficult to carry on satisfactorily. The whole work of the association was most efficient.

The secretary stated that he wished to pay a tribute to the R.S.A. Sub-committees had been set up and were acting with regularity in the matters of finding employment and of dealing with pensions and pensions appeals. He had attended a recent meeting of this latter committee and was very pleased with the manner of their inquiries. He felt sure that much good would result from their concerted opinions. In any case, it was very satisfactory to both secretaries to have the responsibility of deciding which cases were worth while spread over a committee.

Members expressed themselves in full agreement with the secretary, . and stated that the R.S.A. was carrying on splendid work. The club rooms had been the means of bringing men in closer contact, and there was every evidence of a good spirit of cooperation existing. The president supplemented the remarks of the other speakers, and stressed the desirability of the continued good relations between the two associations for the general benefit of all concerned. The quarterly report was adopted. Main Committee.

A meeting of the main committee yesterday was attended by Messrs F. G. HallJones (Invercargill), D. Macpherson (Otahuti), H. E. Niven (Edendale), D. Cuthbertson (Invercargill), J. S. McDougall (Bluff), D. McDonald (Limehills), J. Gilkison (Invercargill), A. H. Cockburn (Mataura), T. Pryde (Invercargill), F. M. Murray (R.S.A., Gore), J. A. Stirling (Waimahaka) and the Rev. J. Chisholm (R.S.A., Invercargill). Mr Gilkison presided.

The secretary’s statement of the financial position showed: Investments, £27,700; outstanding advances, £3707 3/8; on current account at the bank, £6OO 5/10; total, £32,007 9/6. Receipts since last meeting amounted to £357 10/1, being refunds £174; interest, £63 10/I;.office allowance, £2O; donation, £lOO. Expenditure for the same period was: Relief grants, £6OO 1/1; advances, £234 18/3; stationery, etc,, £7 7/9; rent, £lO 16/8; general, £92 6/2; excess of expenditure over receipts, £587 19/10. The investments had been drawn on to the extent of £BOO.

Besides correspondence of a routine nature, referring principally to pensions matters, a number of letters were received in grateful appreciation of assistance rendered.

It was decided to continue the system of dispensing Christmas cheer on the same lines as those of recent years, the secretary being authorized to attend to all matters in connection therewith.

The report of the emergency committee was reviewed, and cases referred, to the main committee were dealt with, after which a number of new applications were considered.