A POPULAR CHAIRMAN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 161, 3 April 1920, Page 6

A POPULAR CHAIRMAN

MR. J. ■ D.' HMFEIS AND'R.S.A.' committee. - ; "Mr. J. D. Harper (chairman of the Wellington lieturned Soldiers' Association) does not intend .to seek re-election to office. At \the, last meeting of the committee of the association, tho following resolution was passed: "That this meeting desires to .place on record its high appreciation of the services and efforts of the chairman. It regrets that circumstances prevent him from seeking re-election as chairman, and asks him to carry away with him the knowledge that he pos- ■ sesses tlift complete confidcnce. of the executive, and congratulates him upon his' long and' successful term of office and the high opinions and ideals he has held throughout. The commutes also desires to convey to Mrs. Harper its best thanks for' and lieartv appreciation of her indefatigable efforts 011 behalf-of .this association." • In acknowledging the compliment, Mr. Harper said .that lie had watched the association prow from its infancy. 110 had watched its fight against public piejudice, and felt proud when lie 0 i»» the position it was in to-day. lie stated that the usefulness of the organisation had by no means come to an end. .-.fnch remained to be done, and only by holding together and fostering till* spirit of comradeship formed "over there" could live association hope to accomplish reforms. He suggested that 'md'yidual member* must take more interest in thy association, and that a campaign should tie. started to foster the spirit of niutun! aid thai was so manifest if l the fenches. He felt certain tlmt " good deal of the present, lack of interest was due to 'ignorance >of what the association stood for. He thanked tho members of the committee, both past and present, for the support thev had given him during his term of office. He regretted very much having to sever lus connection with the committee, retiring in- the happy belief .that lie enjoyed the confidence of all the members" of th.s ■Wellington association. . Committee, members had more than a pnssirig word of praise for Airs. H<n'-_ per's services to the association. J ne\ •expressed profound regret athor present . ill-health, nnd 'requested Mr. Harper to convey their thanks to l)tr for a.l ' that she'had d«ne>