PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Shannon News, 6 June 1928, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

ANNUAL MEETING OF HOROWHENUA ASSOCIATION.

PRESENT SYSTEM OF ADMTNIS

TRATIbN CONTINUED

The annual meeting ,of the Hor-»-vvhenua County Patriotic Association was held yesterday, afternon, in the Century Hall, there being present: Messrs P. W. Goldsmith (president), T. Clifford (Manakau), R. G. McLean (Paraparaumu), E. Butt (Shannon), L. I. Howell (Paraparaumu), G. P. Catley, W. E. Kilsby, and C. S. Keedwell, Mrs Gibson, and Mr F. P. Walkley (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs G. D. Hamilton (Levin), J. A. Mackay (Paekakariki), H. Nicolson (Otaki), A. McLeavey (Ohau), and S. A. Broadbclt (ihakara).

CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT. Mr Goldsmith read his annual report, as follows: • . “The balance sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1928, is now ready for inspection, having been audited by the hon. auditor Mr J. L. Afcus, as in past years. The balance sheet reveals that the grants made during the year amounted in all to £520. The National War Funds Council distributed a considerable amount of money last winter to aid in some degree those efforts made to give temporary assistance to unemployed returned men. This fund was very acceptable indeed, and the grants distributed by this Society, amounting to £IOO proved of great help in a time of need. The Society also distributed for other Patriotic 1 Societies over £IOO in grants to various applicants during the year, whilst amongst those for whom this Society is responsible the sum ,of £3ll was paid out. These distributions involved a good deal of time and attention; for whilst no case of need is ever turned down, yet due care is taken that in the main the purposes for which the funds were raised are duly fulfilled. SOLDIERS’ LOANS. “Undoubtedly the past year, speaking generally, has been a difficult one from a financial standpoint, and as a consequence refunds from borrowers have been somewhat slow, and until the money comes.in more freely new loans to other returned men are out of the question. With better times, however, there is no doubt that an improvement may be looked for in the repayment, of instalments, the majority of those who have loans being only too anxious to meet their financial obligation. “The proportion of loans to soldiers, with the accumulated funds of the Society, are shown as follows: — , Comparative position of loans-to-soldiers and the accumulated funds of the Society since 1920, when the funds of the Society at their peak.

Accumulated Loans to Funds. Soldiers.

“It will be noticed that, although the funds.are diminishing, the shrinkage is gradual, last year’s amount being £267. 'For some few years to coma the fund should meet normal demands, but it seems quite certain calls will not diminish much for some years to come and all the funds will be wanted. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.

“There has been a small reduction under this head during the year, and probably further reductions c|an be made in the future. It must be remembered, however, that the Society is a comparatively small one, and in small concerns administrative costs where the work is' done efficiently, are always higher than in larger concerns. When the members of the Society (the subscribers to the funds) deem that local administration is too dear, the funds can, with the consent of the Government, be handed over to the Wellington Patriotic Society to administer for the district. “So far as can be gathered from opinions expressed, the time for such a' change has not yet arrived. WORK OF THE SOCIETY. “The meetings of the Executive have been fairly attended during the year, and the various, members of the Conn mittee have also faithfully attended to matters in their own respective districts whenever the occasion required such attention. The secretary’s work has been carried out with his usual attention and thoroughness. “In the work of the Society some cases are met with, which are very difficult to deal with. There are others which are very sad indeed. If there are those who still believe that modern human warfare amongst the nations is a thing of grandeur and glory, service in the work of a Society such as this would speedily disillusion them. So far, however, as is possible, the Society, ’n a sympathetic and helpful way, does its best to deal with disabled and broken men, whose lot is very hard through the ravages of Avar. ’ ’ RELIEF DURING THE YEAR. The chairman added that he had ob- | tained information as to the amount distributed in relief during the year. This showed that grants totalling £3ll 17s 2d had been expended amongst 24 families; also that £llO was handled j on behalf of other Patriotic Societies, and spent amongst 12 families. Unemployment money expended last year provided Avork for the supporters of nine families. As showing the large amount of detail involved in the relief branch of the Association’s Avork, the chairman stated that, in allocating the grant to 24 families, there Avere 101 transactions; and in the dispersal of grants on behalf of other Societies the

transactions numbered 37. Although the Association’s business was not a very large one, it entailed a great deal of attention. EFFECTS OF PERIOD OF DEPRESSION.

Continuing, the chairman said that there was no question that the year had been a very busy one, and no doubt the depressed times had been responsible for this, owing to the calls for relief. He anticipated that there would be calls on the society till all the mdney was spent. If members thought that it would be advisable to transfer the administration to the Wcllington • Society, such action could be taken; but in the meantime the work was going, on very well. He thanked the members for their co-op-eration. If anything had had to be done in any particular part of the district,, the member for such locality was always willing to give what help he could and supply all the local knowledge necessary. The Association was indebted to the Press for reports of meetings and for making the operations of the organisation known to the public as far as was permissible. Mr Keedwell expressed members' appreciation of the report of the chairman, whose remarks had represented the true position of the society. With regard to administrative costs, these would never be absent, even if the work was handed over to another society, which, he thought, w'ould be a retrograde step. Mr Keedwell paid a tribute to the chairman and his assist' ants for their untiring efforts on be:half of the society.

TWENTY YEARS’ WORK AHEAD

Mr Kilsby said it appeared to him that the funds could run on foi* a .number of years before they were exhausted. There was an appreciable amount which still could be lent free of interest, and he thought that for the next 20 years there would be api plications for assistance:—and the funds would run for that length of time. The costs of administration did not seem to be exhorbitant. The chairman mentioned that the overhead charges had come down by £8 as compared with last year. Mr McLean said he. did not think the time had come for sending the funds to Wellington. They would be better handled by the local society than by a central executive. He paid a tribute to the good w r ork of the chairman, the secretary, and the committee, stating that 'the society, the public, and the returned soldiers had been well served by those officers. The report and balance sheet were adopted, on the motion of Mr Keedwell, seconded by Mr Kilsby. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. . Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: — President.—Mr. P. W. Goldsmith (reelected). .Committee (re-elected). —Messrs P. W. Goldsmith, •C. S. Keedwell, G. D. Hamilton (Levin), J. P. Brandon, H. Nieolson (Otalri); E. Butt, J. T. Bovis, Mrs T. F. Gibson (Shannon); S. Broadbp.lt, J. M. Richards (lhakara); W. E. Kilsby (Koputaroa); A. McLeavey, J. McLeavey (Ohau); C. Nees, T. Clifford (Manakau); G. P. Catley (Te Horo); C, C. Higginson, T. G. Fraser (Waikanae); L. J, Howell, R. G. McLpan (Paraparaumu); J. A. Mackay, and J. Smith (Paekakariki). .Life Member. —Mrs T. F. Gibson. ,A hearty vote of thanks yras passed to Mr J. L. Arcus for having given his services as auditor to the society without charge. APPRECIATION OF SECRETARY. ;Mr Keedwell moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Walkley for the capable manner in which he had carried out the duties of secretary during the year. His services were always available, and his records were comprehensive and up-to-date. Were it not for Mr Walkley’s services, the small executive could not carry out the work before them. Mr Keedwell also spoke in appreciation of the members who attended the quarterly meetings of the committee, in some cases travelling long distances to do so, and having, kept up their interest for years —a record to be proud of. Most of the committee members had been instrumental in the original formation of the society, and had stuck to it through thick and thin.

Mr Clifford endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks with reference to the services of the secretary, and stated that Mr Walkley had carried out his work in a conscientious manner.

The chairman said they were all very grateful to Mr Walkley, who had carried out his duties well. The vote of thanks was recorded, and a similar motion of appreciation was passed to the chairman. Mr Walkley thanked the meeting, and the chairman in his own response said he thought that the meeting was a very representative one, but he would like to have seen a larger attendance.

Year. £ £ March 31, 1920 6414 1736 March 31, 1921 6185 . 2319 March 31, 1922 6003 25Q0 March 31, 1923 5902 2659 March 31, 1924 5651 2541 March 31, 1925 5439 2582 March 31, 1026 5192 2446 N March 31, 1827 4838 2259 March 31, 1928 4571 2079