PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 65

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING The fifteenth annual general meeting of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association was held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Thursday, the Mayor (Air R. S. Black) presiding. There were also present Alessrs E. C. Hazlett, James Begg, J. J. Clark, J. T. laul, E. A. Rosevear, D. E. Theomin, J. B. Shacklock, J. L. Salmond, O. L. Ferens, F. G. Cumming, H. L. Paterson, and C. R. Smith.

Before moving the adoption of the Executive Committee’s report the chairman said that he wished to take the opportunity of paying a tribute to the assistance the association received from the late secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association (Air J. M. White), whose knowledge, sympathy, and energy had been of inestimable value in all cases that had come before him. He was pleased to see with them again Air J. J. Clark, who had performed yeoman service for the association since its inception. Referring to the affairs of the association. Air Black said that the past year had been a trying one, and as far as he could see the ensuing 12 months would be even more so.

Air Cumming seconded the motion, and the report was adopted. Air Theomin moved the adoption of the Finance Committee’s report and balance sheet, expressing regret that the chairman (Air G. L. Denniston) was not present to perform that duty. The balance sheet showed that the association, with the funds at its disposal, was able to meet all its liabilities and deal with all the calls upon it. He trusted that it would be able to continue doing so in the future.

Air. Begg seconded the motion, which was carried.

In moving the adoption of the Otago Soldiers’ and Dependents’ Welfare Committee’s report, Air Clark said that, it was nearly 16 years since the association was formed under the guidance of the then Alayor (Air Shacklock). Since it had come into existence no fewer than 21,000 separate claims had been investigated by the committee.; £135,000 had been expended on direct assistance to returned soldiers and their dependents, and £11,098 had gone towards comforts for_ soldiers overseas and in hospital in New Zealand, making a total of £146,098 spent in directly assisting men who went to the war. At the end of the war the association possessed £lll,OOO for all purposes, and its funds at the present time amounted to £44,617. It was impossible to give any indication of how long this would last, but the fund would be administered carefully, and, he hoped, generously, and he trusted that the association would not have to turu down a deserving claim for many years to come. If the need arose, however, he was sure that the association would not have to appeal in vain to the public. Unfortunately it was found that many returned men, after 13 years, were breaking down in health as a result* of the strain they went through during the war years, and, although perhaps they did not possess legal proof that their condition was the result of their war service, it was reasonable to assume that they were suffering for what they did for the Empire during the war. It was very gratifying to see that the Pensions Appeal Board dealt sympathetically with the majority of these cases, and, indeed, it appeared as if the board were looking more for opportunities to grant pensions than to refuse them. Last year the association had spent £4552 5s lOd in relief, and the unemployment that was rife throughout the world had added to its work. Fortunately, the active and useful co-operation of the Returned Soldiers Association and the City Council had minimised a great deal of distress in the city, and every avenue for obtaining employment had been used. This was a phase with which the association had kept closely in touch. When the Unemployment Bill was passed the associ-ation-had got in touch with sister bodies throughout the Dominion, and they had all adopted the policy that the patriotic associations should not undertake the relief of men who were suffering from unemployment only, as this was entirely the duty of the Unemployment Board. It had been found, however, that a very fruitful source of ill-health amongst returned men was lack of employment; as, especially in the ease of those with wives and families, they were under constant strain and worry. Aledical men had examined a number of such men, and had reported that there were practically no cases of malingering—mostly all were genuine breakdowns caused, they believed, by worry arising out of lack of employment. If regular employment could be secured for these men a good chance for their complete recovery could be held out, and it was necessary that the Government should take some steps to find work for them. Another great difficulty- was the problem of men who were suffering from minor disabilities and receiving small pensions, as when work was difficult to get they were the last to be engaged and the first to be dismissed. Air Clark went on to express the association’s gratitude for the assistance it had received from the Returned Soldiers’ Association, referring especially to valuable services given by the late secretary of that body (Air White). He was glad to welcome Mr Ferens. Air White’s successor, who, he was sure, would not only maintain but enhance the reputation the Returned Soldiers’ Association already held among the public. An important step during the year was the formation of a Central Committee of the Red Cross Society, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and the Patriotic Association to deal with eases which were the common property of all three bodies, and it was considered that this committee would prevent the abuse of funds or any overlapping. To the registrar of pensions, who had always been most helpful, the thanks of the association were due, and a deep debt of gratitude was owed to the Perpetual Trustees and Agency Company, which, through the Lilian Mitchell fund, had enabled the association to assist a number of returned men to an extent that would not otherwise have been possible. He wished also to pay a tribute to the secretary (Air E. R.. Grace), whose sympathy and understanding were very helpful in the association’s work; to Mrs Park and Aliss Runciman, who, although

they had been with the committee ever since its inception, were still as interested and reliable as ever; and to Alessrs Salmond, 1 aul, and Paterson, who, besides giving valuable assistance to the coirmit;ee’. gave a great deal of time and service t0 -»r s JI f fairs apart from its meetings. Air I aterson seconded the motion, and, speaking as a member of the Returned soldiers Association, emphasised the fact that the late Governor-General of New Zealand (Sir Charles Fergusson), before leaving Wellington, had drawn '.teiitimi to the fact that there were many returned men whose health was only now beginning. to break as a result of their war service. Last year, a Soldiers’ Civil Reestablishment Committee had been formed and word had been received imat the district committees of the committee were * or appointment with ctu exception or the vocational officers. The Returned Soldiers Association felt that a great deal of spade work had to be done before these officers were appointed, and some policy would have to be formulated to help the men who, thiough numerous causes, had dropped in the market of citizenship, and in this he looked to the Patriotic Association for as much assistance as it could give. There were at present 91 men with their families who had registered, and who came within the scope of the Aet, and he hoped that these would be absorbed by the citizens of Dunedin, who would help not so much by donations of money as by taking a personal interest in them. The returned soldiers appreciated the work of the Patriotic Association and the committee, and where cases were to be investigated the majority or applicants found the committee and the secretary most sympathetic. In the name i C , periled Soldiers’ Association, he thanked the association for the work it was doing and had done in the past The motion was carried. . Air Clark moved —“ That this association expresses approval of the Government s action in setting up a Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment Committee* and urges the Government to proceed iminediately with the setting up of district committees and bring the policy of the committee into effect.” •Mr Paterson seconded the motion, which was carried, and it was decided that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Prime Alinister. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, The Alayor (Air R. S. Black); vice-president, Air'J. J. Clark; treasurer, Air G. A. Lewin; Executive Committee—Alessrs D. E. Theomin J Loudon. S. Solomon, J. T. Paul. J. L. Salmond, E. A. Rosevear, James Begg. G. L Denniston. E. C. Hazlett, P. APSkimming, J. B. Shacklock, O. L. Ferens, C.-R. Smith, James Horn, H. L. Tapley, H. L. Paterson, P. Aitken, and F. G. Cumming; Finance Committee —the Alayor (Mr R. S. Black), Alessrs G. L. Denniston (chairman), J. B. Shacklock, C. R. Smith, and E. Theomin; Soldiers’ and Dependents’ Welfare Committee—Alessrs J. J. Clark, J. Loudon, and H. L. Paterson, to act with the following life members:—Messrs J. T. Paul, J. L. Salmond, James Horn, Janies Begg, P. Al’Skimming, S. Solomon, and Peter Aitken. SARGOOD BEQUEST. It was decided that the income frrfm the P. R. Sargood Bequest (£250) be divided equally, as was the case last year, between the Y.AI.C.A. and the Returned Soldiers’ Association, subject to the approval of Air Sargood. GENERAL. On the motion of Air Theomin, it was decided that the sum of £750, which is at present at call with the City Corporation. should be placed in the bank to the credit of the association.