R.S.A.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3254, 19 April 1943, Page 5

R.S.A.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

TOBACCO FOR THE HOSPITALS

Opening the twelfth annual meeting of . the Paeroa-Hauraki Returned Services Association (Inc.) at Paeroa on Saturday evening,'the president, Mr Edwin Edwards, extended a very warm welcome to three who had returned from the present war and who had joined the branch. Prior to the commencement of business members stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memories of the late Herbert Pennell and Tom Richmond, members of the branch, and to Mrs T. Short and Mrs Harris, two ready helpers, who had passed away during the year. Officers Officers - elected were as follows: Patron, Mr W. Mclnnes; president, Mr Edwin Edwards;' vice-presidents, Messrs E. Harris (Kaiheie), W. Matthews (Netherton), B. E. Veale (Tirohia), N. Hedges (Waitakaruru), E. A. Mahoney (Ngatea), P. G. Pearce (Kerepeehi), S. A. Anderson (Patetonga), W. T. Crosby (Karangahake), J. H. Walmsley (Paeroa), J. H. Bartlett (Paeroa), T. Fulton (Paeroa) and T. E. Owen (Paeroa); committee, Messrs S. J. Hedge, R. Jutson, C. Briggs, E. W. Chisholm, T. Lynch, P. Taupaki, G. S. Masters, M. Thomas, R. Jensen, G. Elvidge, S. Nichol, G. Stewart, G. Knap, .A. Roycroft and J. Pender; padre, Canon W. G. H. Weadon; secretary, Mr J. M. Craig; treasurer, Mr D. A. Vincent; auditor, Mr C.’N. O’Neill; delegate to annual conference, Mr J. M. Craig.

Most of these officers were reelected for a further term, ‘but Mr T. E. Owen, a returned man from the present war, was made a vice-presi-dent, and Messrs A. Roycroft and J. Pender, also returned men, were added to the committee. Anzac Day Arrangements were made for the Anzac Day parade, it being mentioned that returned soldiers who were in the Home Guard would form a special platoon for the march and would link up with the R.S.A. men at the top of the hill. Veterans of the South African War would be given pride of place at the head of the procession. A suggestion that the parade assemble in the Domain, where more space was available than in the Civic Square, was not adopted. Constitution In reply to a member the president stated that until recently the constitution of the R.S.A. only permitted men to become members who had served overseas' and had been honourably discharged. But as many men were not discharged uppn return to New Zealand, being granted extended leave without pay, headquarters had decided that as soon as a returned man went back to civil occupation he was eligible to become a member of the R.S.A. It was desirable to make this widely known as some thought they were ineligible. Tobacco Supplies

In view of the present difficulty of purchasing tobacco and cigarettes for returned soldiers in hospitals, Mr W. A. Sanderson suggested that representations be made to the Canteen Board that it make supplies available to Hospital Visiting Committees. The suggestion was adopted and it was also decided that in view of the good work of the Thames Hospital Visiting Committee to recommend that the annual grant of £5 be increased.

Appreciation

Votes of thanks for services rendered were accorded the officers and committeemen and the honorarium of the secretary was increased by 50 per cent. _____