RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13659, 13 December 1917, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

At a general meeting of the above Association, held at the Soldiers' Club, Major Rastrick presided over an attendance of about 30.

The club control was the principal business of the meeting, and: several members, both active and honorary, expressed the opinion that the executive of the Association should be the controlling body. Mr A. E. Manning, on behalf of the Patriotic Society, stated that it was the wish of that Society that the R.S.A. should hold the controlling power and that the Patriotic Society was at all times prepared to help the Association to a reasonable ex. tent.

Five vacancies on the Executive Committee, which had occurred through members leaving the district, were filled as follow:—Messrs A. E. Bell, G. W. Matthews, Geo. Miles, T. J. Reynolds and W. Sweetman.

The matter of the Gallipoli Star being confined to only a section of the men who served on Gallipoli was brought up, and after comment by members the following resolution, moved by Sergeant-Major Purdom and seconded by Mr L.* King, was carried unanimously: "That this Association sends to headquarters a resolution that all men who landed on Gallipoli should receive the decoration."

The secretary gave a short resume of the work of the Association and asked members to maintain an active interest in Association matters, as their eneregtic support was always needed to ensure success. Members were also requested to put plenty of pvli into the sales of art union ticke' , as these showed signs of lagging The membership, he stated, was growing rapidly, comprising over 200 active and about 100 honorary members. Honorary membership to the Association is open to all men not eligible for the First Division, and the latter may become honorary members under certain conditions, such as not being medically fit for service .

On request, the president explained to the members the reasons of the appointment of a permanent secretary, and read sections from the constitution governing the powers of the Executive Committee in making appointments. The appointment had in every way' proved most satisfactory. Mr. Ki> as a member of the committee making the appointment, endorsed the president's remarks, and instanced the many and varied cases that had come under his notice where the secretary had done much valued service. At a committee meeting held after the general meeting, 24 new members were approved. It was decided to en. dcavour to obtain the keen supnort of. ladies' committees in the Waikato towns, so that the l success of the art union will be assured, the drawing for which will take place on . Saturday, January 5.