SOLDIERS’ CLUBS

Southland Times, Issue 25514, 7 November 1944, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ CLUBS

CHURCHMAN’S WORDS RESENTED (Special) AUCKLAND, November 6. Strong exception has been taken by the president of the Auckland Returned Services Association, Mr A. P. Postlewaite, to the reported remarks of Mr A. J. McEldowney at the Presbyterian Assembly concerning soldiers’ clubs. Stating that he had just returned from the opening of a returned servicemen’s club in Rotorua, Mr Postlewaite said he was astounded to read the report. The Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr Skinner, had been at the Rotorua function and had highly praised the work of such clubs and their value in assisting rehabilitation. In apologies for absence, the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, and the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, had expressed admiration for the work of the clubs.

“Most of- the major clubs have been in existence for 25 years,” said Mr Postlewaite. “There cannot have been much wrong with them if they have survived for that period. If there ever has been any which has not been up to the mark, then it has not been the fault of the clubs, but of the management. I know of none that is not well conducted. “Why should such nonense be talked?” he asked. “The R.S.A. must have clubs as centres for its humanitarian work, the extent of which can be judged from the fact that the officers of the Auckland association have about 70,000 interviews a year, dealing with the problems of returned men, mostly of the present, war, and their dependants. There must be a social side to , the activities of the association, this being particularly valuable in providing contacts with their fellow-service-men and so assisting in' their rehabilitation.” Mr Postlewaite added that the executive of the Auckland R.S.A. intended to frame a vigorous protest, to be sent to the assembly.

“I hope the churches will work against the establishment of returned soldiers’ clubs,” stated Mr A. J. McEldowney, of Christchurch, at the Presbyterian Assembly at Hastings. “After the last war these clubs were definitely an evil in the community. The clubs worked against the morality of the men and the community in general.”