RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2093, 21 February 1920, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

PROPOSAL TO .FORM LOCAL BRANCH. A meeting of local returned soldiers, convened by the Pajmerston Returned Soldiers’ Association, was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday night for the purpose, of discussing the advisability of forming a sub-branch of the Association in .Foxton. Owing to short notice the attendance of local men was not large, only about a dozen being in attendance. Messrs Jacobs (president of the Palmerston Association) Rutherfurd (secret ary) and Haycock (member of the executive) addressed the meeting. Mr Tlornblow was invited to preside, an (I in doing so said although not a returned soldier, and with no standing or voice, he was only too pleased to assist any movement to advance the interests of the returned men. Mr Rutherfurd said the object of the visit was to arouse enthusiasm among local returned men, and to explain what the Association stood lor, and was doing in the interests of returned soldiers and their dependants, and to suggest the formation of a sub-association in Foxton. The idea was to link up the outlying districts by the formation of sub* associations, who would deal with matters concerning the returned men and their dependants, and work with the backing of (be parent body to get their grievances attended to. The (owns had strong associations, but things were not satisfactory in the country districts. If a sub-as-sociation was ..formed locally i‘» would lead to heller result.- to all concerned. Mr .Jacobs said the formation of a sub-association would keep local men in close touch with what was being dmie at headquarters. It Foxton was ambitious it could form an association of its own. To do this would require 100 members, registration, and the services of a paid secretary, and would entail a good deal of work. Of course, the Palmerston Association would be only too pleased to assist them in this coiiueciion, as it would lessen its re-

spunsilfiiil ies, lull hv forming ;i subbranch of Hu- Palmerston body they would avoid this ;im! have the bene!il uT :t thorough working orgnnisaImu, which would oulillc them In rcpresen! a t ion on 1 In* executive ninl attendance at nil ineel ings. The interests of nil could he secured by nriilv. Every soldier sett lenient Inis I’ui'incd i] 1 siib-iissociii I ion similar lo wind, was now advocated, and much good had rcsilllcd. He pointed old how necessary il was (or I hem !o retain I heir ink rests in I he Assoctnlion. The annual subscript ion tee. was Kls ])<■]■ annum —just depriving themselves id' 21 cigarettes a week (laughter). He said joining up wit it the Association was to their individual interests, and gave an interesting account of what had been accomplished lor the. returned soldiers against strong opposition. 1C tiie returned men did not unite and keep the Association going, then their interests would go (o the wail. There was still mimli to d’ which could only be done through (be co-operation .and organisation of the returned men. Personally lie. intended, lo stud.' to the work', bu.i he and others wanted assistance and co-operation. Personally, he did lint think Poxlon was strong enough to form its own association, and it would be heller to form a branch of ihe Palmerston body. They hud assisted one another while on duly, and (hey desired that spirit of comradeship to continue. No one, except the paid secretary, {rot anythin”; out ol the Association. II the local men required information on any matter the Association -would he onlv too pleased to send a mail down to address them. 'll. loxloii tell .that it was not strong enough lo form an independent association he advised them lo form a branch of the bigger body* Mr Haycock endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks, and spoke of the early si niggles of the Assoei;,lion. Their object was to link up all the outlying 1 places into one strong organisation, in which each Miml! centre would have proper representation, and have its local grievances quickly adjusted, li the returned men were united and would pull together, they would prove a big factor in the future destiny of Now Zealand. ifr McDonald said he had listened with great pleasure to (he speeches made. He was sorry that there was not a larger attendance. Some time ago a meeting had been held, but nothing had come of it. Hy moved that in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a branch of the Palmerston Association be formed pn Poxlon. Air S. Dudson seconded, and it was carried unanimously, Il was pointed out that a farther, meeting would have to be held, when it was hoped every returned man would be in attendance to .carry out the resolution. The date fixed for the meeting was Wednesday. March 3rd, and Air AieDonald was appointed to convene same and get. into touch with all relumed men. The visitors promised lo be in attendance at the meeting. Several matters wore then discussed of interest to individual members, and a vote oi thanks .and .appreciation were accorded the visitors, and the usual compliment to (lie chairman concluded a very interesting meeting;