TE AWAMUTU R.S.A.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 54, Issue 3893, 23 April 1937, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU R.S.A.

ANNUAL. MEETING. ILLU MIN ATING PRESIDENT lAL ADDRESS. The annual meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall last Monday, when Mr Walter McGill (president) occupied the chair and there was a representative attendance of members. GENERAL MATTERS. Proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the President welcomed all present, especially the newcomers in the persons of Mr W. A. S. Wearne (successor to their past president, Mr N. McAlister) and Mr H. F. Moore, who had had a long experience with other associations. A hearty welcome was received from the Matamata and Te Kuiti Associations for the President and members to attend their annual reunions. The .President read a couple of letters from "Diggers” thanking the Association for efforts on their behalf, one in the matter of his war pension and the other from a patient in a hospital expressing appreciation of the kindnesses extended him. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The President read his annual re-, port as follows: MEMBERSHIP. “During the past year interest in the affairs of the Association has teen well maintained. The financial membership as at March 31st stood at the very satisfactory figure of 229, which is only three behind the best year experienced by your Association, when there were 232 financial members. We have lost two or three active executive members during the year, but we note with satisfaction that several new men have come into the town and I would appeal to them to come forward and fill the gaps in cur ranks as there is plenty of scope for new members with new ideas.

SOLDIER SETTLERS. “During the year, owing to legislation brought down by the Labour Government, the affairs of the soldier settlers have been very much in the air and at the moment it is very difficult to say whethen the changes will be advantageous or other-wise. “A very strong protest was voiced by your executive against the. handing over of soldier settlers’ mortgages to the State Advances Mortgage Corporation, thereby scrapping all the legislation enacted for the benefit and protection of soldier settlers who took up land under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act of 1915. We are indebted to Mr W. J. Broadfoot, M.P., for the manner in which he voiced this protest on the floor of the House of Parliament. Although our protest was not fruitful, a good deal of notice was taken of it. I find the officers cf the State Advances Mortgage Corporation very anxious to work in with our executive in all matters under their control, and I feel sure we will have the goodwill

cf these men in any matters brought before them that have merit and are reasonable. ORDERS ON CHEQUES. “We have entered vigorous protests against the very unfair attitude of the Lands Department in demanding irrevocable orders for percentage of cream cheques from soldier settlers to cover interest and other charges. In many cases these orders were given when the production from the farm was very low. To-day these orders cover much more than the annual charges and feettlers have to wait long periods for a refund of the overpayment and in many cases the overcharge is used to reduce the current account and often arrears accumulated during slump years. No consideration is given to the needs of the farm or the settlers’ living expenses. We have endeavoured to have the orders altered to cover annual charges! only and are hoping that the State Advances Mortgage Corporation will adjust these matters. However, recent enquiries indicate that the orders will remain as before. MORTGAGORS AND LESSEES REHABILITATION ACT. “There are a large number of applications from returned soldiers for relief under the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act and while it is too early yet to. fore See if any real assistance will come the way of the returned soldier settler, the indi-

cations are that very little relief will be [forthcoming. There will be a possible reduction in the rate of interest down to 4 1-8 per cent, and possibly an extension of the term of mortgage in most cases.

REVALUATION ON PRESENT VALUES.

“What is required is a revaluation of all soldier- Settlers’ holdings by an independent valuation board whowould give due consideration to the amount of labour and private capital put into the holding of the settler. Up to the present time the only consideration is the Crown Mortgage and the capital value of the land. In most cases, these holdings were bought ’ll boom periods and very much above productive value and the money advanced for [improvements by way of current account was more or less thrown away owing to the high cost cf all necessary materials. It would be safe to say that the values to-day, when the soldiers’ case is before the Mortgage Adjustment Commission, would be at least 50 per cent, below the value when the improvements were put on the sections. SOLDIERS’ EQUITY. “It is only reasonable to expect that the mortgagee, in this case the Crown, would be prepared to adjust

the mortgage to give some equity to the tenant who has worked and put his own hard cash into the holding. Private mortgagees have net hesitated to do this. GUARANTEED PRICES. “Before passing on from soldier settlers’ troubles, I would like to briefly mention the question of the guaranteed price for dairy produce. The price of 12 9-16 d for butter seemed at the time df announcement to be a fair one and it would have been so had the costs: of labour, hours, of work, and cost of farm requisites remained at the figure ruling at that time. The effect of the legislation is to leave the farmer much worse off than he was the previous season, when he received approximately Is Id per pound butterfat for his output, whereas he will receive little, if any, more this year, while he has to face an increase cf at least twopence per pound in his farming costs. The guaranteed price scheme is a. very big experiment and whether or not the scheme will show a loss to the Government is problematical. It will depend on the prices realised for the balance of the season’s unsold stocks. ANZAC DAY. “A move is again on foot by some of the business men in the cities to try and have Anzac Day celebrations held on the nearest Sunday to Anzac Day and so do. away with the holiday on April 25th. If we are to retain

this day. sacred to the memory of so many of our fallen comrades, then we must be prepared to oppose every move of those who wish to have it done away with. The fact that the prime mover “himself a returned soldier” sets more value on his business being carried on on Anzac Day than in honouring his fallen comrades, should not be allowed to. influence returned men generally. Let us retain the day at all HOSPITAL BENEFITS. “Action is being taken by your executive, in conjunction with the Hamilton branch, to see if some hospital benefit scheme on the lines of that in operation at Dannevirke can be inaugurated for the benefit of members. This will require the attention of the incoming executive. POPPY DAY. “The sale of poppies has always been well Supported by the public of Te Awamutu and other districts and it is to be regretted that some associations are adopting the practice of selling poppies outside the allotted period in order to fall in with certain other public shows when crowds gather for sport and ether meetings. This practice will soctaer or later antagonise the public if they are to be asked to buy poppies at all times of

tire year. Tt will be necessary to have instructions from General Headquarters sent to all associations forbidding the sale cif poppies before April 15th in any year. A resolution from this meeting would probably be effective. DOMINION CONFERENCE. “Your branch was ably represented at the last Dominion conference by the secretary, Mr H. T. Haselden, and he returned with a very full report which went to show that our Dominion Council is a very live and enthusiastic body. SOLDIERS’ GRAVES. “The fund for the marking of soldiers’ graves is in a healthy condition. The necessary stones are now on hand and all graves, where full particulars are available, will be suitably marked by Anzac Day. CLUB ROOM. “Foi- 18 years this association has been without a home of its own, the business of the Association being conducted in private homes and business offices. It is time that the Association had its own club room and some definite move should now be made with this object in view. I would ask the incoming executive to give this matter serious consideration. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. “On June 15th we held our annual reunion, when a large number of ‘Diggers’ turned up. Other branches represented were Matamata, Cambridge and Otorohanga. The guest of honour was Colonel Hargest, M.P. The evening was a very pleasant, one. The programme was excellent. LADIES’ EVENING.

“With Commander Nesbit as the chief speaker on a vei;y interesting subject (“Submarine Warfare”), and a good musical programme and excellent supper, the evening could not be anything else but a huge success and we advise the incoming executive to give us more of these evenings. CRUMP PRESENTATION. “During the evening appreciation of the services given to the Reidpath orphans! by Mr and Mrs Crump were suitably acknowledged by the Association. a presentation clock suitably inscribed being presented to them. VALEDICTORY. “A Diggers’ social evening was tendered to- Mr and Mrs N. McAlister, prior to, their departure for Ashburton. Some 200 Diggers and their wives and a few personal friends of the McAlisters gathered to do honour to these popular guests. During the evening a presentation of a wristlet watch, suitably engraved, was presented to our past-president, while Mrs McAlister was made the recipient of a crystal reading lamp. The promotion ’of Mr McAlister to Ashburton leaves a gap in our ranks that will be hard to fill. CHRISTMAS CHEER. “The usual Christmas Cheer was sent out by our relief officer and judging by the letters received, was very much appreciated. THANKS.

“I wish to thank the members of the executive for the wonderful support accorded me during the past year. The attendance at executive meetings has been very good indeed, and members have given good service at all times. 1 wish to particularly thank the secretary, relief officer and treasurer for the amount of time they have given to the affairs of the Association. In regard to my own position as president, 1 feel that I have fallen very short of what a good president should achieve. The job of president calls for much time and thought much more than I can really spare to do the job as it should be dene. I am indebted to Mr McAlister, Mr J. Oliphant and Mr Whitehouse for most of any success that has come my way. The membership is very pleasing indeed and this has been brought about by the combined efforts cf members. I trust the same goodwill will continue in the future. There is much to, be done and each year brings its quota of important duties that must be attended to. I appeal for your loyal support to the incoming executive and if this is forthcoming this branch should, be. a real asset to the town and district and to the Diggers in particular.” At the conclusion of reading his report, the President was accorded hearty rounds of applause. TREASURER’S REPORT. The treasurer (Mr C. Whitehouse), submitted the annual balance-sheet, showing an excess of receipts over expenditure of £2 18s sd, while cash invested or otherwise at date, totalled £127 Ils 7d. Mr Whitehouse said the record showed the highest membership but three in the history of the local branch, which was a very creditable one in view of the toll taken of their membership by death and by removal from the district. The treasurer referred to the growth of the “Christmas Cheer,” the number of recipients of whom had increased by three-fold since he assumed treasurership. Their efforts in this respect were greatly appreciated and he read one letter offering testimony on this point. The “Courier” representative handed in a 10s note, which had been given him by a local resident, who desired his identity not to be disclosed, to be spent on the orphans of a deceased “Digger.” (Applause). Mr James Oliphant moved the adop-

tion of the report and balance-sheet and strongly favoured the erection of a club house for the branch. Mr W. H. Tucker seconded the motion, which was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: —• President: Mr W'alter McGill (reelected). Vice-presidents: Messrs G. Tarr (Ohaupo), D. Clark and W. G. Neill (Te Kawa). Secretary: Mr H. T. Haselden (reelected ). Treasurer: Mr Janies Marston. Relief Officer: Mr James Oliphant. Auditor: Mr C. O. Edmonds. Executive: Messrs W. J. Tucker, H. M. Andrew, A. W. Skinner, W. A. S. Wearne, H. F. Moore, W. McCready, and Dr J. B. W. Roberton. District Representatives: Mr F. Goodser (Wharepuhunga), Mr F. Skerman (Puahue), Mr D. R. McLeay (Pokuru), Mr J. Yates (Arohena), Mr R. Godfrey (Parawera), Mr T. J. Armitage (Te Kawa) and Mr J. Livingstone (Pirongia). Mr W. Mackenzie, in moving the re-

election of Mr McGill as president, paid a glowing tribute to the manner in which that gentleman had carried out his duties, his remarks bei.ig greeted with loud appla.use. Mr McGill’s re-election being carried by loud applause. Mr McGill appropriately acknowledged the compliment paid him. Mr McGill, in proposing the re-elec-tion of Mr Haselden as secretary, complimented that gentleman on the excellent manner in which he carried out his duties. That was their 18th annual meeting and Mr Haselden, along with Mr Oliphant, had he’d executive office all that time, during which he had rendered wonderful service to the branch. He declared Mr Haselden re-elected unopposed. (Loud applause.) The President paid a similar compliment to Mr Oliphant in his capacity as relief officer, in which office he had rendered valuable services. Complimentary reference was also made to the excellent services rendered, as treasurer, by Mr C. Whitehouse, who, on this occasion, refused nomination to any office. R.S.A. CLUB. Mr Claude Crotty undertook to draw up a plan, free of charge, of a

small club-room, which members felt was a long-felt want. Dr Roberton moved that the executive go into the matter and. if found advisable, take whatever action it deemed necessary. | Mr J. Sterritt seconded the motion, which was carried. THE McALISTER CUI’. After discussion, on the motion o' M. A. W. Skinner, seconded by Dr Roberton, it was decided, in connection witli the McAlister Cup, that a miniature rifle club be established within the members of the Association and that a sub-committee be set up to go fully into the matter and report back to the executive committee consisting of Messrs W. J. Tucker, G. Tarr an 1 H. T. Haselden, with the addition of a representative of the school cadets* and of- the various territorial units. COMING OF AGE. In regard to the presentation of the address of appreciation to the Mayor (Mr George Spinley) and the County Chairman (Mr S. C. Macky), on the coming of ago of the Association it was decided that it should take place at a social evening.