SOLDIERS' CLUB.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16690, 21 July 1916, Page 2

SOLDIERS' CLUB.

GENESIS OP THE INSTITUTION.

A PUBLIC STATEMENT,

On Wednesday the Patriotic Association decided to issue the following report of a sub-committee on the genesis of the Soldiers' Club: —

The idea of establishing a permanent club for soldiers originated with the Patriotic Association, the intention being to erect a temporary building, utilising the material of which the' annexe at Paddy's Market had been constructed, and subsequently build a larger and more commodious club, as a permanent memorial, when the Association had some idea' what the requirements would be. The question was a site for temporary buildings was discussed. For reasons well known, the idea was abandoned, and later on a sub-committee was set up by the Patriotic Association to procure a suitable building, so that the soldiers might be temporarily accommodated, until a larger scheme could be launched. Captain Simpson, who was interesting himself in the needs of returned soldiers, was communicated with by the Assocation, and asked iior suggestions that might be of assistance in the working and conduct of the club. He visited Wanganui, and attended a meeting of returned soldiers, called by the Patriotic Association. At the suggestion of Captain Simpson, four citizens were appointed a sub-committee to work in conjunction with the Patriotic Association, and the returned soldiers to assist in initiating and establishing the club. As a result of the meeting, the building occupied, now as a Soldiers' Club was secured by the Patriotic Association, and the required renovation and furnishings were carried out by the Association, supplemented by gifts by sympathetic citizens. ' The returned soldiers appointed a committee, and on the recommendation of that committee, the Patriotic Association appointed two custodians and a club secretary, three undischarged soldiers. These men were in receipt of their military pay, and the Patriotic Association agreed to give them a bonus of 15s. a week, for each of the two custodians, and 10s. per week for the secretary, whose duties were of a nominal character. Then came the questions of the constitutions of the club, and the rules required for its proper conduct. The returned soldiers requested that the club should be exclusively a club for returned soldiers. To this the Patriotic Association agreed. Meantime a sub-com-mittee of the Patriotic Association had devoted considerable time to the formation of a set of rules, and an appointment was made to meet the Returned Soldiers' Committee at the club for the purpose of discussing those rules. The date and time for the conference was fixed by the Returned Soldiers' Committee. The representatives of the Patriotic Association attended only to discover that the conference had for some reason been "called off:" that the old committee had been abandoned; that the club secretary previously nominated by the soldiers themselves had been put out of office, and that another secretary had been appointed, on the understanding that he was to receive £3 a week. Several consultations ensued, and ultimately at one of these, the representatives of the Patriotic Association agreed as to the basis x)f a code of rules; A representative of the Patriotic Association and of the soldiers were deputed to draft these rules, and submit them for the approval of the Patriotic Association and the returned soldiers respectively. The sub-committee of the Patriotic Association, while agreeing to these rules, had no power to commit the Patriotic. Association to them. The rules were prepared and submitted to the Soldiers" Committee. When they came before the Patriotic Association it was pointed out hat the constitution as drawn up was such as to deprive the Patriotic Association of any effective control of the club. This was deemed inadvisable, for the following reasons:—•

First. —The Returned Soldiers' Association and Club promised to he institutions of very considerable and permanent consequence, and this being so it is desirablbe that so far as possible they be co-ordinated throughout the Dominion, and the very best possiblbe .oundatlon rules be. adopted.

Secondly.—The soldiers already returned, however deserving of es-

teem and honour, are very few in number compared with those who ■will ultimately be affected.

Thirdly.—Because of the patriotic interest affected, and because of the nature of the case, the club Is of concern to the whole community, there should be considerable citizen control.

Finally, the Patriotic Association, in view of this situation, and of the fact that they represented the patriotic interests of the community, and were custodians of public funds for the club, ought not to relinquish control. The suggested constitution was consequently revised to provide fOi" freedom of control in internal affairs by the returned soldiers, whilst •■the ultimate control was reserved to fhe Patriotic Association, until such time as a Dominion basis was estaUlished^ or some more permanent arrangements made. This was carried by a very substantial majority, including many of the Rules Committee. The constitution of the Soldiers" Club as approved by the Patriotic Association was then submitted to the Soidiers' Club. They rejected this constitution, and adopted the one previously drafted, and proceeded to work thereunder. The Patriotic Association decided therefore that until the Returned Soldiers* Club admit and recognise the control of the Patriotic Association, that no further funds be voted to them. In making this public statement the committee desired to assure the returned soldiers of their deep interest in them, and their desire to promote their welfare in the many ways that come within the scope of the Patriotic Association's operations, and will cheerfully give our time thereto.

We recommended that the rules ot the Wellington Returned Soldiers Club House Society be adopted as the rules of the Wanganui Returned Soldiers' Club.

These rules have been drafted for the purpose of the Dominion rules, and have the approval of Captain Simpson, who is willing to visit Wanganui, and promote the acceptance of them by the 'Wanganuit Returned Soldiers' Club. / . The report was adopted.