EX-SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18623, 29 April 1932, Page 10

EX-SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

MATAMATA BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. There were about 70 returned soldiers at the annual meeting of the Matamata branch of the association, presided over by Mr G. G. Griffiths. Motions of sympathy were passed with the relatives of the following exservice men:—Messrs F. Alquist, J. T. . Montague, A. J. Davis and T. J. Underwood. The report stated that last year had been one of solid progress, and despite the fact that” about £IBO had been spent there was still a balance m hand and £IOO on fixed deposit. With regard to the cut in pensions the executive was unanimous in feeling that old-age and soldiers’ pensions should not have been touched, except as a last resource.

The following officers were elected: President, Mr G. G. Griffiths; vicepresident, Mr F. Rose; treasurer, Mr D. Waterson; secretary, Mr G. G. Bell; assistant secretary, Mr T. E. McMillan; committee, Messrs H. Walls (Te Poi), G. V. Gow (Walton), G. G. Payze (Peria), N. L. Iligginson (Okoroire), A. 11. Marshall (Okauia), J. B. O. Lockhead and Rev. A. W. Atkey (■Putaruru), Revs. J. W. Burley and A. C. Hampton (Matamata).

There are now 218 members of the branch, of whom 101 are financial. It

was decided to reduce the membership fee from 10s to 7s Gd, and to form an economic section, with library, for the study of economic problems. About a third of those present signified their intention of joining. It was resolved to organise mixed socials and elect local committees at Walton, Hinuera, Waharoa, Putaruru, Te Poi, Tirau, Okauia, Lichfield and other centres.

The following resolution was passed:—“That this meeting, while recognising the anomalies in the pensions, holds the opinion that these could have easily been removed, and enters a strong protest against the cuts in old-age and soldiers’ pensions, holding that these should only have been touched as a last resource, and that other avenues could have been more fully explored." This motion is to be forwarded to headquarters, the Prime Minister, and Messrs C. 11. Clinkard, A. M. Samuel and J. Hargest, M’s.P.

A short address on the currency question was given by Mr T. E. McMillan, and the following motion was unanimously agreed to:—“That the Government be asked to conduct a public inquiry to endeavour to ascertain to what extent our currency an 1 monetary policy in New Zealand is a cause of the present depression.”