WAR RELIEF SOCIETY;

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19326, 29 October 1932, Page 18

WAR RELIEF SOCIETY;

ANNUAL MEETING. The seventeenth annual meeting of the South Canterbury Patriotic War Relief Society was held yesterday. Present—Messrs G. S. Cray (president,), W. J. Tait. J. M. H. Tripp, W. H. Orbell. Jas. King, G. A. Bridges, W. P. Evans, J. P. Steven. R. F. Algie. L. M. Inglis. W. H. Walton and Drs P. W. Hislop and C. A. Paterson. last of Society's Funds. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet (which had appeared in the “Herald”), the chairman expressed appreciation of the service rendered in the district by the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association. The Association had direct representation on the War Relief Committees, and was of material assistance. Through the activities of the R. a number of men b£d been given employment, and it was desirable that work should be given in preference to grants when men were able to w r ork. He congratulated the secretary of the Society (Mr J. M. C. McLeod), on his efficient work during the year. The activities of the Society had been about level.with those of past years. The question of loans advanced by the Society in the past had been a troublesome one. and provision had been made in the balance sheet for doubtful loans. Owing to the pressure of the times, a certain amount, he thought, would not be recoverable. Mr Cray" acknowledged the assistance given the Society by the Pensions’ Department. and the Timaru registrar. It was becoming increasingly difficult for the Pensions Board to associate some of the claims with war injuries, but on the whole the Pensions Board and Department appeared to be giving generous support to all deserving claims. ••The life of our funds is a matter for some concern,” said Mr Cray, “and on the present rate of expenditure. I don't think they w T ill last more than four or five years unless they are supplemented.” If the funds were not added to it looked as if the Society •would have to cease functioning, and what was going to happen then -was a source of w'orry. The motion was seconded by Mr King. Dr Hislop said that if the funds lasted another five years they would have done very well. It was thought seventeen years ago that the life of the Society would be only twenty years. The chairman said that it was a manifest fact that if the funds would not last distress certainly would. The question of soldiers advancing in age and in need of assistance was one for consideration. The motion was adopted without further discussion. Branc h Committees. The Branch Committees for the ensuing year were appointed as follows: Timaru —Messrs G. S. Cray. F. J. Rolleston. W. H. Walton. Jas. Meehan. L. M. Inglis. A. N. Oakey, W. I. Tait and W. G. Tweedy. Waimate —Messrs W. Hayman. G. J. Shackleton. J. G. Menzies. J. A. Lash, S. Grut. G. H. O. Barclay and R. F. Algie and Dr R. G. Shackleton. Geraldine—Messrs J. Kennedy. K. Mackenzie. J. M. H. Tripp, F. V. Lysaght and Dr P. W. Hislop. Temuka—Messrs J. Maze. T. Harrison. Jas. King. W. F. Evans and Dr F. A. Scanned. Levels —Messrs T. B; Garrick. W. H. ; Orbell. C. Parry, J. P. Steven and Dr C. A. Patersor. Mackenzie —Messrs J. F. Jeune. W. Black. C. J. Talbot and J. A. Fraser. Reference to the long service rendered by retiring members Messrs W. Geddes and D. S. Chisholm (Waimate), and G. W. Armitage (Temuka), was made by the chairman. Mr G. Johnson was re-appointed auditor. Alteration of Rules. A motion, notice of w’hich had been given by Mr Walton, amending the rules to provide that eight instead of twelve constitute a quorum at a general meeting, was carried without discussion. An addition to the rules to allow for the provision of such assistance as may be necessary for the maintenance and education at Flock House of the son. or sons of any New Zealand returned soldiers or sailors, w r as also carried unanimously. Management Committer. At a subsequent meeting of the Management Committee. Mr Cray was unanimously re-elected president, Mr L. M. Inc]is vice-president, and Mr W. H. Walton treasurer. Nominations for the Management Committee w-ere approved as follows— Timaru—Messrs G. S. Cray. J. Meehan, A. N. Oakey and W. H. Walton. Levels—Messrs J. P. Steven and W. H. Orbell. Mackenzie—Messrs C. J. Talbot and D. Jeune. Temuka—Dr Scannell and Mr King. Waimate—Dr Shackleton and Messrs W. G. Tweedy, W. Hayman and R. F. Algie. Geraldine—Messrs J. Kennedy and J. M. H. Tripp. It was agreed that recommendations been made to the branches that the salaries of paid secretaries should be subject to reduction.