EX-SERVICEMEN’S NEEDS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1929, Page 11

EX-SERVICEMEN’S NEEDS

VALUE OF ASSOCIATED EFFORT.

BRANCH OF R.S.A. AT INGLEWOOD.

A meeting of- returned soldiers was held in the Inglewood Town Hall last night when, despite the rough weather, nine members , of the .New Plymouth Returned Soldiers’ Association and 16 local returned soldiers attended. Mr. E. Olson presided and welcomed the New Plymouth members. He stated that to achieve good results they would have to stand shoulder to shoulder. The New Plymouth members would put their views before the meeting. He hoped enthusiasm would be stirred up in Inglewood and that they would join in and develop the New Plymouth Association. Captain F. Hartnell, on behalf of the New Plymouth representatives, said that some time ago associations and clubs were formed for social purposes, and most of the returned soldiers were then single. But now most of the clubs had fallen through. Now the Returned Soldiers’ Association was for helping fellow diggers who were in need, and the New Plymouth Association did not spend one penny on the social side, though considerable money passed through its hands. He said the public were always ready to help the ex-service men, as was .seen by Poppy Day. The idea of the meeting was to form an association, and tho best way, he thought, would be to form a branch of the New Plymouth body, as they had a very energetic and lively secretary, Mr. E. J. Carr. He gave an instance of ,one Inglewood returned soldier with tuberculosis who received £2 10s a week. This was not enough to keep him, his wife and family. The association was trying to get the payment increased, and if not the Patriotic Society would be approached. There were generally 12 or 13 returned soldiers in hospital and they always needed attention.

Another thing was unemployment. Inglewood was not greatly affected by .this, but still there were gome returned soldiers who could be assisted. In cases of death the association had always come forward and paid expenses, and this had been greatly appreciated. Another aspect was that gome soldiers who were dismissed as fit and able were now breaking down through war ■effects. It was hard to make the pension authorities realise this, and the association had helped a number of such cases.

In the Urenui district there was a branch of the association and they were very energetic and had collected over £3OO. One man from that district had broken down through war service. He had seven children. His case had been taken to the appeal board. Mr. C. H. Croker urged Inglewood to form a branch of the New Plymouth .Association. Taranaki needed more re presentation at the New Zealand headquarters of the association, and if Inglewood would join with New Plymouth it would help considerably. Mr. E. J. Carr, secretary of the New Plymouth Association, also spoke of the returned soldiers’ needs. It was often said, and unfortunately often by returned men, that there was no need for returned soldiers’ associations, “but it is not ourselves we should think of, but those who suffered for us.” The whole of the Poppy Day collections was spent on the relief of unemployment. One case was cited of a man who was nearly bankrupt, his child had died, and he had had great misfortune. Such were the cases that needed assistance. The association had also secured work for unemployed men in the country. A widow of an ex-soldier with several children, who was in great poverty, had also been assisted, and last year a Christmas tree for the poorer ex-service-men’s children had been given. It had been a great help. Other New Plymouth members also spoke. It was mentioned that the Returned Soldiers’ Association badge had been revised. To have a badge often brought ex-servicemen in contact with one another. It was also stated that more money was raised in Taranaki on Poppy Day, on the average of population, than in any other part of New Zealand. The stronger the association was the more money would be received from headquarters. The cost of subscribing to the Returned Soldiers’ Association was 10s yearly, and any returned soldier residing in New Zealand for twelve months.could join. The chairman expressed gratification to the New Plymouth members for their visit and for affording information to the Inglewood ex-servicemen as they had. Personally he was in favour of joining with the New Plymouth Association. It)

either meant doing that or nothing at all, as 'in Inglewood it would be hard to get a good meeting. It showed the interest New Plymouth' was taking in the matter when members came out as they had that night. Mr. Olson moved that a branch of the New Plymouth Returned Soldiers’ Association be formed in Inglewood. Mr. Bishell seconded, and after some discussion the motion was carried Unanimously. Captain Hartnell, on behalf of the New Plymouth Returned Soldiers’ Association, expressed appreciation of the enthusiasm shown. It was agreed that those Inglewood ex-servicemen present should form an executive, and that a meeting be held shortly to set up a committee and elect a secretary and a delegate to the New Plymouth Association. Those present promised to try and bring others to that meeting. A vote of thanks to the visiting New Plymouth men was carried by acclamation and they were then entertained at supper.