CHRISTCHURCH R.S.A.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16417, 4 May 1921, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH R.S.A.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last evening, the president (the Rev W . Walker) being in the chair. There was an attendance of about two hundred members. Mr Walker, in welcoming members to the new club rooms, said that the building was the best and most commodious of its kind in New Zealand, and they were all deeply grateful to the citizens whose liberality had made its erection possible. The hall would serve as the gathering place for returned soldiersHe was particularly pleased to welcome back their secretary (Mr W. E. Leadley), who, with their vice-president (Mr H. J. lvnight) had represented New Zealand with credit and distinction at the conference in Cape Town of returned soldier organisations. (Applause.) The association during its five years of existence had rendered magnificent service, particularly to sick and wounded soldiers and their relatives. Every man who paid his subscription helped towards the support of another man who might be in need. The club itself was virtually self-supporting. The association’s work lay outside, and for many years to come there would be need for its existence. He hoped that every member would prove loval to the association and help it to go'on fulfilling the objects for which it was formed. Mr G. W. Lloyd, in seconding Mr Walker’s motion for the adoption of the report and balance-slieet, said that the organisation did a vast amount of work of which many members had little knowledge- There we.re hundreds of men still to be assisted, men who had not participated in the promises made from 1914 right up till 1919. Mr Lloyd paid a tribute to the manner in which Mr Walker had made out the annual reP °The honorary treasurer (Mr V M. Edgar) said that the association had had a rfccord year. The credit balance had increased by over £1000?The meeting carried a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Edgar for his work as treasurer during two years and a hair. It was decided : “ That this meeting places upon record its grateful thanks to the citizens of Christchurch and district for their generosity, which has made possible the erection of tnese commodious and serviceable club rooms. It learns with pleasure the otter ot tha Commercial Travellers’ Association to co-operate in raising the £ISOO required to clear off the remaining debt. It further tenders its thanks to the members of the Building Committee for their efficient labours in superintending the erection and the furnishing of the rooms.” , r lb was agreed, on the motion or Mr Lloyd :—“ That this meeting of Christchurch returned soldiers requests Mr Leadlev to inquire into the reason for the reduction of the furniture grant from £75 to £SO by the Canterbury Repatriation Board. 1 ’ It was decided to send as a remit to the district conference a motion urging consideration of the question of immigration as it affects the employment of returned soldiers. The meeting resolved to demand that tho Government should make Anzac Bay a compulsory holiday, and that tho day should be kept as a “ Holy Bay.” Members of the executive promised to take into consideration requests for better lounge and writing-room accommodation in the club. Votes of thanks were passed to club officials, retiring officers, the chairman and the Press. Office-bearers were elected as follows: President, Rev W. ,T. Malker; vicepresident, Mr H. J. Knight; treasurer, Mr L G. Blackwell; executive, Messrs L G Blackwell, F. L. Buttle, B. Burnside. N. H- Proctor. A. H. Spratt, G \V f.iovd, E. Orchard, T. Drummond, H. Fleck, H. J Knight, C. R. "Watson and Rev W. Walker.