RETURNED SOLDIERS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 124, 20 May 1932, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS

Waipukurau Association ANNUAL MEETING HELD REPORT OF PRESIDENT The annual mooting of the Waipukurau District Returned Soldiers’ Association was hold last evening, Mr A. O. Williams, president, presiding over a largo attendance. President’s Report The president submitted the following report: — Membership. —In spite of the prevailing depression it is pleasing to be able to report that the membership of the branch is very satisfactory and that not only have the great majority of the older members retained their membership but subscriptions from 24 new members have actually been received during the year while others have joined since March. 31. The branch has a financial membership of 90 and this is most gratifying as it gives the clearest indication possible of the manner in which the work being carried on is appreciated by returned members generally. Unemployment. —This i» an urgent problem confronting many returned men in common with other members of the community. Members arc probably aware that the committee has followed the policy in the past of endeavouring to accumulate Poppy Day funds until they were urgently required. The wisdom of this policy has boon amply demonstrated during the year. The committee has expended from the Poppy fund and Canteen fund grant a total sum of £SS in the employment of returned men, the . assistance being mainly given by paying the wages of such men working under the relief scheme during what would otherwise be “stand down” weeks and a considerable number have received assistance in this direction. The funds of the Association will enable further assist-

ance to be given during the coming winter and this will be a matter for consideration by the incoming committee.

Poppy Day. —The Association is under a debt a gratitude to those who assisted in the sale of poppies and they are to be congratulated on the results of their efforts. Special mention is made> of the services of Miss Drum-

mond, Sister O'Donoghue of Pukeora, Airs Major and the High School girls who all worked very well indeed.

Anzac Day.—The numbers of returned men on parade at the Anzac Day service in Waipukurau improve each year and nearly 70 men took part in the last service. The service is one

in which all members of the community take part but it is probably not out of place for us to express our appreciation of the manner in which various organisations such at the Waipukurau Band. Church choirs, Boy Scouts, Mounted Rifles and others all willingly do their share in assisting to make the services fitting tributes to the memory of our fallen comrades of the Great

War. Gone West.—The death of one of our keenest and most popular members, Mr George Clarke (Nobby) is recorded with the deepest regret by all with whom he came in contact. The late George Clarke was one of our keenest supporters and one who through long war service and consequent great knowledge of the ‘'diggers” was able to realise the need for the Association. He gave of his best in assisting in the work being carried on. The passing of a South African Veteran in the person of l\lr George Smales is also recorded with regret and members will miss him greatly at the next reunion.

War Relief Association. —Returned mon are represented on the local branch of the Association by Messrs T. G. Given, H. B. Smart, J. L. Brathwaite and A. O. Williams. A great many cases have been dealt with during the year and a large amount of assistance given Your representatives are of the opinion that the cost of administering the fund is excessive and they have made efforts to bring about a reduction but although something has been done in this direction there is still room for considerable improvement.

Donation to Fund. —A donation of £ll5 to the funds of the local branch Ims been received anonymously during tho year. This magnificent gift will ensure a heavy debt of gratitude to the donor for the great generosity shown. General. —An appeal is made to all returned men to join up with the Association. Tt is recognised that times arc bad and that tho annual subscription of 5s is largo to some. It is felt, however, that there has never been greater need of increased membership

than at the present time and some sacrifice should be made in the interests of those of our former comrades now in need of help. It. is the duty of the diggers who have been assisted to support the organisation that regards their assistance as its first care, and it is no less the duty of those who require no help to build up a strong Association and so enable it to alleviate the lot of their more unfortunate comrades. Balance Sheet The financial statement for the year showed receipts, £l6B 12s; expenditure £169 12s 8d; loss on year’s working, £1 0s Bd. The excess of assets over liabilities was £234 18s Sd. Motion for Adoption Moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr C. R. Watson said that he thought the Association had done very well to emerge with a working loss of only £1 0s 8d for the year. He congratulated the president, the secretary, and the committee on the result of their efforts. The motion was seconded by Mr A. McCormick, and carried. Messrs W. G. Cooke, F. R. Logan, and A. L. McCormick spoke eulogistically of the work in the past of the president, Mr Williams, to whom they said, was largely duo the satisfactory position of the Association. Officials Elected The following officials were elected for the coming year: —President, Mr A. O. Williams; vice-president, Mr J. L. Brathwaite; committee, T. R. Southall, C. R. Watson, W. W. Jamieson, F. R. Logan, L. Wood, .T. Paton, and 11. B. Smart; secretary, Mr AV. J. Stcerc; auditor, Mr P. R. Smyrk; entertainment committee: Messrs J. Boyce, F. V. Ward, E. Malkin, L. Wood, and J. Pender. Dominion. Conference In view of the probability of discussion on the Government’s action, in reducing soldiers’ pensions it was decided that the incoming committee should be recommended to send a delegate to the Dominion Conference of the Association. Votes of Thanks Motions expressing appreciation of service Tended by the following were carried: Mrs Major and High School girls, Miss Drummond and Sister O’Donoghue, in icon noction with the Poppy Day Campaign; Lieut. L. R. Cutforth and District High School cadets, in connection with Anzac Day parade; the Ladies War Graves committee for attention to soldiers’ graves.