GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20722, 8 May 1937, Page 4

GERALDINE

METHOD OF VOTING KEEN DISCUSSION AROUSED A keen discussion on the method of voting arose at the annual meeting of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association on Thursday evening, when fifteen nominations were received for ten seats on the committee, and the question was asked was it compulsory to vote for ten, or could members vote for fewer than that number. “I wish to protest against the method of voting,” remarked Mr P. G. Withers, when the candidates’ names had been written out to assist the members in their voting. “Why should I be compelled to vote for men whom I do not wish to vote for?” The president (Mr W. McClure), who explained that they proposed to follow the usual practice of voting for the required number of candidates, read portion of the Association's constitution in regard to ballots, but the point questioned was not defined. Mr J. Stevenson: I take it that at the annual meetings in previous years those voting papers which bore fewer than the required number of candidates were declared invalid. Mr H. A. Robertson moved that members must vote for the required number of candidates. The president: That has been clone in the past. It is for the meeting to decide whether a change should be made. Mr C. Gimson: If we want 10 members on the committee why not vote for the 10 candidates? Mr J. Stevenson: The thing is wrong; I have never seen it done anywhere else. Mr Gimson: What about the Geraldine Racing Club? At their election of committees it is compulsory to vote for the required number of candidates. Mr A. A. Readdie: The idea in the proposal to vote for fewer than the rcquired number is wrong. If that were I correct you could vote for one man only, with a result that perhaps only four men might be elected instead of a committee of ten. Mr T. M. Hutt: That’s impossible. Mr Readdie: If you vote for only two men, that is all you may get elected. Mr Gimson: The thing is absurd, and would lead to a farcical position. Mr Robertson: Most meetings are run on parliamentary procedure. You must vote for the complete number of candidates. Mr R. A. Bruce (who seconded Mr Robertson's motion): The Education Board has a proviso to prevent bloci: voting. Mr P. G. Withers: That is quite wrong! Mr Bruce: You can read it yourself. It is in the little red book if you look. Mr A. Black: The proposal savours of packing the meeting if we do not vote for ten. The president: I do not think so. No man wants to waste his vote. Mr E. O. Winmill moved, and Mr P. G. Withers seconded an amendment, proposing that members be permitted to vote for up to ten candidates for the committee. Mr J. Scott: You would not have a committee. How could we divide the voting between say three men? Mr Withers: The proposition does not apply. Why should we vote for men whom we do not want. Mr Stevenson: It Id absurd! The president Intimated that it had been suggested to him that the amendment was a direct negative, but he was prepared to put it before the meeting. On the voting the amendment was defeated by a substantial margin, and the motion was carried. The president: I am sorry any difference of opinion has arisen, but I am sure it is all cleared up now. Mr T. M. Hutt: I take it then that if any papers are returned with fewer than ten names on them they will be informal. The thing is absolutely

absurd! The ballot was then proceeded with, the meeting being required to vote for a committee of ten members. Canon J. F. Coursey and Mr John Scott were appointed scrutineers, and, on their return, intimated that there had been only two informal votes in 42 voting papers. Later in the meeting Mr P. G. Withers suggested that an opinion on the question should be obtained from Dominion headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association on the point whether it was compulsory to vote for the required number of candidates at the election of a committee, and the president replied that the suggestion would be acted upon by the secretary. RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT RE-ELECTED Over 40 members attended the annual meeting of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association in the Masonic Refectory on Thursday evening. The president (Mr W. McClure) occupied the chair. Before proceeding with the business, a motion of sympathy was extended to Mr H. J. Bowkett, a member of the committee, in the death of his brother, Mr T. Bowkett. and the secretary (Mr F. W. Grayburn ) was instructed to write conveying the sympathy of the Association to the relatives. In moving the adoption of the annual report (previously published) and balance-sheet, which showed a credit of £63/1/10, the president remarked that the Association was in a good strong position financially, and there was also a vein of good comradeship which was much to be desired. The Association had been represented at the Timaru and Temuka R.S.A., reunion, and, he, a.s Canterbury and Westland vice-president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, had also represented the local Association at several R.S.A., functions on the West Coast, so the Geraldine R.S.A., was gradually becoming known to other Associations. Mr McClure thanked the members of the Committee for their loyal support and congratulated those in distress on the happy maner in which they had been able to bear their burdens. Many of the returned soldiers appeared to be doing a good deal better. There was an air about which appeared to be a happier one, and there seemed to be a little more work available. Their most diffi-

cult problem with men of their age, who were not very fit, was that not many required their services. Not that the public was unsympathetic, but that it was only natural that the man who wished to make a success of his business wanted to employ an efficient man, and, the farmer also required a physically fit man to work on his land. The necessity for the Returned Soldiers’ Association would always exist as long as any of them survived. He congratulated the Association on its strength, and thanked the many sympathisers and supporters among the public. Mr McClure conveyed the thanks of the Association to the Rev. Canon J. F. Coursey, who had given a splendid address on “Lawrence of Arabia” at a function under the auspices of the Association. As an expadre, Mr Coursey had the welfare of the Association at Heart. Mr McClure also thanked all those who had assisted the Association In any way during the year. The motion, which was seconded by Mr R. P. Harper, was carried without discussion. Election of Officers Mr W. McClure, who was re-elected president unopposed, expressed thanks for the confidence shown in him, and intimated that he would endeavour to give his best services. Other officers elected were as follow: Vice-president. Dr. G. W. Curtis; hon. treasurer, Mr A. A. Readdie (re-elected); hon. auditor. Mr J. H. Lewis (re-elected); committee (15 nominations for 10 seats), Dr. L. C. Mail. Messrs R. P. Harper. E. O. Winmill. F. W. Grayburn. H. A. Robertson, J. G. Grierson, F. W. Morgan, P. M. McKenzie, C. Tiplady, and W. H. Jackson. Mr J. Stevenson asked why the secretary .was not appointed at the annual meeting, instead of being appointed by the committee. The president explained that they were following the usual procedure according to the constitution of the Association. General The matter of fixing the date for the annual re-union of members was left to the committee, a suggestion being made by Mr T. Oakley that it be held ■on a Saturday night, which would permit the attendance of a number of Australian ex-soldlers from Christchurch. On putting the matter to the vote a majority was not in favour of a Saturday night function. On the motion of Mesrs E. O. Winmill and H. A. Robertson, it was decided to leave the matter of the free hospital treatment scheme for exsoldiers, as adopted by the Dannevirke R.S.A., in abeyance pending Government legislation in regard to a national hospital treatment scheme. It was decided to endeavour to arrange an exhibit by the R.S.A. in the Coronation procession next Wednesday afternoon, and the president requested as many members as possible to parade in mufti, with medals, in the procession on Coronation morning.

On the motion of Mr T. M. Hutt it was decided that it be a recommendation to the committee that the secretary’s honorarium should be increased from £2/2/- to £5/5/-. A suggestion by Mr H. A. Robertson that an honorarium should be paid to the treasurer (Mr A. A. Readdie) was deprecated by Mr Readdie, who remarked that it would be time to consider that when he applied to that effect. He was only too pleased to give his services gratuitously. On the motion of Messrs P. M. McKenzie and H. A. Robertson, a vote of thanks was accorded the newspapers in appreciation of their help during the year. In closing the meeting the president expressed his thanks to the Committee and to the members for their loyalty. Comradeship and friendship were the main objects of the Association, and he trusted that the present happy state of affairs would conitnue. TO-DAY'S SENIOR FOOTBALL In view of Geraldine's win over Zingari at Timaru last week considerable interest is anticipated in the senior match against Celtic on the Domain Oval this afternoon. The team will be selected from the following:—Judkins, Vial, Worner, Webb, Morris, Vial, Bassett, Ford, Morris, Martin, Vincent, Blyth, Palmer, Callanan, Lyons, Worner, Eathorne, Rowe, Loach. Third grade v. School at School Park No. 1, at 2.45 p.m.—Doug. Bennett, D. Johnson, J. South, W. Payne, H. Chapman, R. Brenton. J. Stevenson, H. South. W. McCullough, J. Eathorne, W. Hopping, R. Brown, W. Gale, C. Humm, M. Butcher, D. Pierce, Cedric Humm. (Cars leave McKenzie's garage at 1.30 p.m.) “FOREIGN AFFAIRES” In “Foreign Affaires” the new WallsLynn comedy produced by GaumontBritish which will be screened tonight, Tom Walls has discarded his apparently endless youth and appears as a gay old dog with a riotous history behind him, an empty bank balance and extravagant tastes. His Captain the Honourable Archibald Gore has

an aristocratic bearing and the grand manner, and out of these he has managed to make sufficient capital to indulge his fancies in wine and horses. Ralph Lynn. Robertson Hare, Norma Varden, Marie Lohr and Diana Churchill are the supporting cast. A special R.A.F. support will also be screened. NOTES Details of the Geraldine District Coronation Celebration Committee's programme for Coronation Day next Wednesday will be found on the front page. A dance in aid of school funds will be held in the Orari Bridge Hall on Saturday, May 22. Coronation services will be held at St. Mary’s Church to-morrow at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. There will be no country services on Coronation Day. there will be Holy Communion at 9.15 a.m. and a combined service in the Town Hall at 10 a.m. Presbyterians of the Geraldine district are asked to make a special effort to attend the special Coronation services at the Presbyterian Church tomorrow at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Details of these services will be found under church notices. The preacher will be Rev. W. J. Coullng. The Geraldine Basketball and Football Clubs’ combined annual dance will be held in the Town Hall on May 26. The Orari Bridge Men’s Miniature

Rifle Club will hold their annual meet"ing in the Orari Bridge Hall on Monday, May 10. Procter’s, the Opticians, Christchurch. will be making their next protesslonal visit to Geraldine on Wednesday, 19th May, when they may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at me Crown Hotel. Appointments can now oe made by ringing Mr Morris Wil/•Hams, chemist, ’phone 61