SOLDIERS MEMORIAL CLUB

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2903, 16 October 1916, Page 6

SOLDIERS MEMORIAL CLUB

RETURNED SOLDIERS AGAINST IT. At a meeting of, tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association on Friday ovening there were present Messrs. J.' I). Harper (chairman) and 68 members. Memhers h'avo been concerning the.-n----|6elves recently with regard to tho scheme of tho New Zealand Natives' Association, which is appealing for funds to erect a Memorial Hall in Majoribanls Street. The feeling of members was decidodly. antagonistic to the scheme, and several speakers stressed the point that tho returned men woro fully satisfied with their large now club rooms, and had no desire to avail themselves of tho privileges of the proposed institution, where, they urged, they would bo to all intents tho guests of an association with which they have very little in common.

After considerable discussion, the following resolution was carried unanimously :—"That this representative meoting of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association views with decided disapproval the action of the New, Zealand Natives' Association in formulating and launching a schemefor the erection of a Soldiers' Memorial Hall without consulting the men whose names they are using in aslmg for public support^

"Wo are of opinion, that any institution, of this kind erected in commemoration and honour of the fallen should be solely for tie benefit of and under the "control of tho Beturned Soldiers' Association.

"This association intends to appeal at a later date for funds to establish a permanent memorial to those soldiers, who have served during the great European War, and has already provided! accommodation to meet the immediate needs of returned soldiers.

"That this association urges upon the publio to consider that the present club fulfils all the needs of the present, and is founded on tho lines worked out by the returned soldiers themselves.

"That the Roturneo. Soldiers' Assosiation will Tiphold the present club, which has been founded by the association, and will work always with a view to establishing a permanent Returned Soldiers' Club as a memorial to all soldiers who have served 1 and suffered or died for their country;. "This association will not bo a party to any exploitation in- the nam© of the returned soldiers." The question of finance was fully gone into, and a draft scheme was adopted to assist the' Clubhouse Society iu raising funds to maintain the club. A strong committee was elected to arrange details, and jn the course of a few days arrangements will he well in hand. • _ ' • , A member pointed out that tho Rod Cross Society is making an appeal shortly, and the meeting wished to avoid clashing in any way. with this work, which lias the members active support. -