SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 244, 9 July 1919, Page 8

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

EXECUTIVE'S ANNUAL BEPOBT.

At. the second annual meeting of members of the Wellington Second Division League, the following report will be submitted :—

Ho executive has pleasure in placing before members the second annual report covering the year 1918-19. The welcome news of the armistice in November last marked the cessation of the c-alling-up of drafts for active service, and since (hen the work of the league i.housrh up to that point .becoming heavier every day, has gradually decreased, and, though a few individual eases are receiving attention, the executive feels that at this second annual meeting the time has come for suggesting dissolution i<) the members and the disposal of funds m, hand so that they may be actively used to the best advantage most nearly approximately to tho objects of the league.

'During the past year Hie league made renewed representations to the Minister of Defence reniiestins; him to fulfil the promise to put the dependants of home service men on the same footing: as the dependants of those on active service, .but the executive regrets that the representations were not successful. An extension nf tlio age limit for children's pensions was also urged, but without'result.

"Conferences were held, between the executive and representatives of the Returned Soldiers' Association on the questions of repatriation and retrospection, and represntations were duly made by Hie league to Government and member's of Parliament urging early attention to these matters. The executive desires to extend congratulations to the Returned SolduW Association on having secured some measure of recognition of the justice, of their claim for retrospection in regard to increased separation allowances. The arrangements for the administration of repatriation, though belated and somewhat unsatisfactory in form, have since been put into operation, and, in common with other branches of the Second Division League, tho Wellington League has been renresented by a member (Jfr. C. H. Chapman, lion, secretary), on the local Repatriation Board.

, "The financial statement shows an income for the year of ,£330 17s. 9d.. which added to the balance carried forward from year, shows a total of .£466 ss. 2d The expenditure, including printinc and postage of handbooks, was '£2U 17s. 5d., living a credit'balance of ,-£221 7s. 9d. The executive is particularly gratified at being able to place such a pound financial statement before the members. This has been made possible only by the continued voluntary work which lias marked the operations .if the leajme from the outsat. At the beginnin'r of the league's year the work vrns so heavy that it was found ntiiwtry to open a special office, hut Inis was <'iscontinued as soon as possiblo after tho armistice. .

"In proposing the dissolution of tho league, the executive has pleasure in recnmmondinir to members that the suni nf ,EIOO be handed to Hie Wellington Tieturned Soldiers' Association as the body to which all men who have been called up must look for protection and assistance, and has every confidence that the K.S.A. will maintain a strong fighting policy in the interests of all returned soldiers and the dependants of tho fallen. The executive nleo recommends that a further sum of .ClfiO, together with any balance that may remain after settlement of liabilities, be handed to llio Trcnthani Scholarship. Tumi which is now being raised for (he educational Ijonpfit of soldiers' children.

"The executive wishes once more to ■express thanks to the Press for its ready assistance in giving full publicity to the iiclivitie-; and views of the league. In conclusion the executive wishes to thank members for their loyal support and assislanco throughout the short but. successful life of Ihe league, and congratulates them upon the very useful wnrk carried out, and the, many great improvenwnte in conditions of service and post-war benefits for all soldiers and their dependants that, were secured as a result of Iheir unity and effort." Gerrarde Cross, Bucks., is overrun by rats, and nt tho council meeting it was reported that tho nuisance was great that a resident, lmd to employ a mnn at 15s. a <lny to try and g'st rid of them.