R.S.A. PROGRESS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 212, 2 May 1932, Page 6

R.S.A. PROGRESS

SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT I PRESENTED BY THEJ EXECUTIVE. t GRANTS FROM CANTEEN FUND. Following is the sixteenth annual report of the executive of the Rotorua branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, presented at the annual meeting of the Association held on Thursday evening. "The membership during the year has been very gratifying, although not up to the same standard as the previous year. The position at March 31, 1932, is: Renewed memberships, 52; and new members, 54. "It has been very noticeable during the past two years that returned men aire coming together more as-.the years pass on, and ex-servicemen are becoming fully alive now to the added nec&ssity of a very strong Association. Our membership would have been very much greater if the present economic conditions were not so acute, and we have no hesitation in saying that, when conditions are again normal, our membership should increase. "It is with much regret that your oxecutive has, during the past year, had to accept the resignations of our vice-president, Mr. H. L. Martin, whose place was taken by Mr. C. L. Knight, who has also had to leave us, and Mr. G. Yallop. These three gentlemen resigned owing to the fact that they were leaving the distriet. Your committe wish to place on; record the sincere thanks of the Association for the services rendered by Messrs. Martin, Knight and Yallop during their term of office. "The annual Anzac memorial service was held as usual, in the Government Gardens, last year and was well attended by ex-servicemen and the general public. Poppy Day "The 'Poppy' campaign was, as usual, earried out by the members of the Women's Club, also by Mrs. Sibley at Mamaku, and Mr. Ward at Taupo. The total receipts amounting from the sale of poppies was £70 15s 2d; the cost of poppies £26 13s 4d, after being deducted, left a balance of £44 ls lOd for the relief of distress. "Although the figures did not reach those attained last year, we consider that owing to the econom'c depression the public throughout the whole of Rotorua responded as liberally i as their circumstances allowed. Without the untiring and devoted assistance of the ladies responsible for the sale of poppies in the streets and otherwise, we cannot hope to accompl sh the results usuaily realised from the Poppy Day collections, and we take this opportunity of expressing the thanks of the Association and returned men generally to all those who so willingly gave of their services in the organisation and conduct of our Poppy Day appeal. "The fifth annual re-union was held at the Geyser Hotel and proved a great success by the number of members who were present. Also included were the secretary and two members of the Auckland Associat'on, who intimated that that Rotorua re-union was the best conducted one they had yet attended. "Members of the R.S.A. have taken to the excellent sport of miniature rifle shooting during the past year. The Association was challenged ' by the Arawa Club, which was comprised of members of the local defence f orce under the capable leadership of Staff Sergt-Major Bates. After the R.S.A. team had been beaten twice, they got busy with pract'ce and also formed a rifle club. Finally, owing to the great enthusiasm by members of the Arawa and R.S.A. clubs, it was decided that the Rotorua Miniature Rifle Club be formed. The average attendance at the weekly shoots during the first year of the club was 35, and the membership consists of a large number of ex-servicemen. "During the year the number of appl:cations for assistance have increased considerably and the sum of £45 2s 3d from the Poppy Fund has been spent in that respect. We have again been fortunate in having the assistance of the local Patriotic representative, Mr. J. Watson, in the matter of relief to distressed ex-scr-vicemen, and the thanks of the Association are due to him for h's cooperation. "As two amounts of £30 each had been received from the Canteen Fun Board, it was decided by your committee to inaugurate a scheme of subsidising wages which could be earried

by returned men on casual employment. It was decided that three days work per week be subsidised at the rate of 5s per day, subject to the employer pay.'ng the man concerned an equal amount as a minimum. The whole of this grant of £60 has been exjpended in this manner. >It is expected that further grants from this fund will be forthcoming during the current year. "Your executive committee can only reiterate the plea for unity, as with the passing of t'me the need for such unity, especially during the present times of economic depression makes itself moi'e manifest. We can only express the hope and at the same time individually make every effort, to ensure that the membership of our organisation is maintained or strengthened." lfrflirillMllFflfMl'lllt'itiriMMIIMIItlMIIMIMIIIIIlrMlllltllMltlfll'..'