HOME SERVICEMEN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 35, 22 December 1944, Page 4

HOME SERVICEMEN

ASSOCIATION'S RAPID GROWTH

WHAKATANE BRANCH FORMED-

The inauguration of the Whakatane Branch of the New Zealand Home Servicemen's Association took place in the Borough Council- Cham* bers last week when after several speakers from Rotorua anyl Auckland had addressed the meeting it was unanimously decided to form a Whakatane branch. Mr E. H. Tyler President of the Rotorua branch called upon Mr J. H. Clarken to explain the objects of the Association. It was pointed out that the membership would be limited to men who had given a minimum of six months' service with the home forces in New Zealand, and that it was the objective to enlist a membership of 10 } 000. It was known that the probable available. membership was between sixty and eighty thousan;d { but if the Association could lind* the figure it aimed at it would be well content. Badges had already been issued to 7500 members and forty-three branches were now operating with nine others, in the process of formation. It was the desire of the Association mainly to assist home servicemen and home sevvicewomen who en-, countered straightened circumstances. Already pension cases had been fought by the. Association for members and their dependants while the question of rehabilitation was being closely watched. The meeting decided to elect a temporary committee with the idea of holding the first formal meeting early in January. The election of temporary office bearers then took place with the following result:— President: Mr N. H. E. Hockin. Vice-ipresident: Mr R. Spong. Committee: Messrs S. S. Butler, % F. Cameron N. A. Fisher K. Kerr ? W. Lysaght Morgan C. A. Parsons C- ' y 3 Underwood and R. Whittle. The question of the appointment of a secretary was left Avith the president. The meeting decided that the President and Secretary be the branches official delegates to the annual conference to be held next month at either Rotorua or Hamilton. The annual subscription was fixed at 10s. ' . Mr Spurdle, Secretary of the Rotorua pointed out that subbranches of the Association could be formed at Opotiki Taneat.ua, Te Telto and Edgecumbe. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the visitors and with the decision to hol/d the annual meeting on January 15 { 1945. /