RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16032, 24 January 1920, Page 11

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING,

The quarterly general meeting of the local branch of the N.Z.R.S.A. took place at the club rooms on Friday evening. Mr C. S. Brown was in the chair.

In his opening remarks, the chairman referred to the Association's activities extending over the last quarter. Through the medium of the local branch many men had had their grievances investigated, especially in regard to the administration of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act. The committee have used every endeavour to secure better attention from the Department of Lands, and it is encouraging to have such satisfactory results as a consequence of the Association's efforts. Members were urged to maintain a lively interest in Association matters. Tlte membership now stood at 1644). There were still many who had not joined, and it is hoped that, by the time a move into the new club is made, all returned men would be in the Association. During the quarter an orchestra had boon formed amongst members, and a li.lv more would be heard of it in due cous.v. Two vacancies on the committee occurred during the quarter, caused by the resignations of Mr Jefferson and Mr L. O. Boyd, and were filled by Mr F. K. Turnbull and Mr W. S. Glenn, M.P. The quarterly statement of accounts was presented by the bou. treasurer, and disclosed a satisfactory position. The financial side of the Association is verv sound. COUNTRY REPRESENTATION.—The question of giving members at a distance facilities for voting at the annual general meeting was discussed at length. It was agreed that those members in the backblocks should have an opportunity of voting, and a motion empowering the committee to draw up a scheme with this in view was carried. WELCOME HOME TO SOLDIERS.— The Patriotic Society wrote offering to provide a day’s entertainment in the form of a welcome home to men of this district. All Die men now being borne, it was considered something appropriate to the occasion should be undertaken. The meeting carried a resolution thanking the Society for their offer, LANDS. —A resolution urging the immediate transfer of the rights of purchasing town and country property to the local Repatriation Boards was carried. It is believed the Government is already moving in this direction. The establishment of local Purchase Boards is already in formation in other parts of the Dominion. ILLNESS OF PRESIDENT.—On the motion of Mr C. Booth, it was decided to send a letter of sympathy to Mr N. G. Woods, hoping for a speedy recovery from his illness. Seconded by Mr C. L. Lovegrave and carried. COMMITTEES. —There is still another quarter of the Association year. The changes of personnel of committees have been frequent, due to members leaving town. The following are now the Association officials “carrying on” for the remainder of the year; President, Ml N. G. Woods; vice-president, Mr C. S. Brown; hoa. treasurer, Mr C. L. Lovegrove; secretary, Mr G Beckett. General Committee: Messrs Booth, Baird, Broadbent, Harrison, Crampton, Glenn, Turnbull, Connell (one vacancy). House Committee: Messrs Booth and Crampton. Representative on Repatriation Board: Rev. H. Blamires. Patriotic Committee; Messrs Woods, Brown, Crampton, Cannan and Beckett. Hospital Committee disbanded. “Quick March” Representative: Mr C. L, Lovegrove.