HOME SERVICES ASSN. FINDS SUBS. HARD TO COLLECT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 89, 20 May 1949, Page 5

HOME SERVICES ASSN. FINDS SUBS. HARD TO COLLECT

Though there is an active executive in office, though the Association is again represented on the Rehabilitation Committee, and though there are general and widespread signs of reviving interest, subscriptions to the Eastern Bay of Plenty branch of the Home Servicemen’s Association are still a bit hard to collect.

That subject occupied a lot of time at the general meeting on Tuesday night, where there was an attendance of just on a dozen of the 90 or so members in the district. They decided that, if subscriptions were not- paid after a reasonable time, defaulters’ badges should be called in.

Mr R. Hunter, backed by Messrs T. Armstrong and F. Kerr, put forward the motion.

Mr Hunter spoke with some vehemence concerning the number of unfinancial members who took no active interest in the Association, paid no subscriptions, but still had the affronterv to flaunt their badges in public. His remarks received hearty endorsement from a majority of those present, who made it clear . they felt members should be both financial and active if the Association were to be of any real value to the community.

One member, recently arrived here from Taranaki, gave an eyeopening summary of activities at New Plymouth, where the Association is now strongly established as a worthwhile force in community affairs.

There was an invitation to send a delegate to the regional conference at Cambridge during the King’s Birthday week-end, and the secretary was empowered to attend or, if unable to do so, so appoint a substitute delegate. Faced with heavy capitation demands, a poor subscription collection and a slim bank balance, the meeting discussed financial problems at some length, and agreed that, if support could be assured, a programme of social activities might be helpful. To test public reaction, one member was appointed to investigate the possibility of running a dance, possibly in one of the country districts, as possible forerunner to a series. 4

Reports of signs of quickening interest at Opotiki were greeted with satisfaction, particularly the secretary’s announcement that Messrs W. H. Dick and W. F. Davies had offered to canvass that area for members for the Sub-branch.