WAR FUNDS

Southland Times, Issue 18852, 18 June 1920, Page 5

WAR FUNDS

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. A GOOD YEAR’S WORK. annual meeting of the Southland War Funds Association, held yesterday, was not very largely attended. The president (Mr H. W. Royds) occupied the chair. In moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts (which have been published I the chairman said that he to express the satisfaction that he was sure must be felt by all members at the conclusion of another year's beneficial work. On the disbandment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces- which took place since the last meeting practically even' returned soldier had been repatriated. Most of the branches of the Association had ceas-ed to exist and it was certainly a ma ter for thankfulness that their continuance was no longer necessary. The work carried out by these branches would long be remembered. It provided a striking example of united thought and action for the welfare of the State. The well being of those men who undertook the duties of military' service was the one main object of a large section of the community and this found expression in the various activities of the numerous branches of the Association throughout (he whole district. He wished to finally place on record the very' high appreciation that was felt of the work that was done. During the past twelve months a great deal of considern'ion had been given to tl-.e question of uniformity of administration of patriotic funds throughout the dominion, but no very definite conclusion.- hn.l been arrived at beyond the idea they had always held in Southland, that the best result-- are achieved by a policy of sympathetic treatment of each case on its merits. This, of course, involved more time and work, but so long as the councillors and committeemen were willing to continue their work on the same basis as in--(he past he felt that they- were, pursuing the best course in the interests of those concerned. In this connection it was interesting to note that the Advisory’ Board's recommendation was to defer any definite scheme of .permanent payments until a further effort was made towards uniformity. From the cases coming before the committee it was obvious that soldiers who had been back in civil occupations for some y-ears were in some instances only now finding it necessary' to receive assistance from the funds owing to incapacities caused by war service and if was of the it 1 most importance that the Association should maintain a position that enabled prompt aid to be forthcoming in all such cases Aid to well men was being attended to by the Stale Departments responsible for such work, and was in the main apparently satisfactory. The Returned Soldiers’ Association was exercising watchful care over the requirements rtf its members with special attention to any anomalies that might arise in departmental administration.

The financial position was still thoroughly satisfactory. The out payments during the year front (he soldiers’ and dependents' fund totalled £10.3C17, which of course meant that not only was the fund reduced by (hat amount hut the annual income from interest was about £7OO less because of this expenditure. From the general war fund the expenditure had been £IO2B, which included costs of administration of all funds and the year’s work. The income had been £2803 from interest earned and £O3B from donations received. It was anticipated that (here would be a shrinkage from both these sources during the coming year, as donations had practically ceased and interest was a diminishing quantity for reasons already stated. The investments now stood as follows: M.Z. Government (Public Trus‘cei £II,OOO at call. Invercargill Corporation debenture-" £IO.OOO, due July. IU2I. Invercargill Corporation debenture;,£IO,OOO, due .July, l!)2(i. Invercargill Corporation debentures £IO,OOO, due July, 1031. Invercargill Corporation debentures £IO,OOO, due July, 11136. The Public Trust investment was earning interest at 4' per cent, pier annum and (lie Corporation debentures 5 per rent, per annum. From these figures- it would he seen that ample funds were available for all an ticipa'ed requirements even at short not ice. In addition there was an invest ment of £3270 in the Convalescent Home. These figures would be instructive to the casual nrvss paper enrrefpnnd-nt who, while not suilici ently interested in the affairs of (lie Assn eiation to ge: the information from the office, wanted to know what had become of the funds and so forth. Tiie office continued to carry out valuable work. Apart fiorn the cases tb-ii actually came b'-fnre the committees th? .-ceretary undertook on behaif and soldiers and their dependents a considerable amount of enquiry and correspondence with the carious public departments, or in fact with any person nr institution if such was dr-ired and was likely to lie of benefit to those concerned. A word of commendation was due to the pains'.aking and competent secretary, who had carried out his work most systematically and efficiently. No member of die Association was more concerned about improper Care of toe soldiers and dependents than Mr Fat rant, who was most a.-siduotp in attending to his duties at a I I -ue-. In this- he had been ablv assisted bv the office staff.

Bpet'king generally. the rind requireui <u: 1 - of Inc r- turned non worn being well looked after throughout this province. If anyone knew of any cii'r that did not appear to b° receiving proper attention it was (he t'e-irr of tlie orgsnisat ion hit iminrdiiite notification should be --nt to the secretary or the nearest War Funds’ tepresenl stive, when (>ron ij it action woo'd he taken, thus cn-uring the protee '"it tnr which the funds were raised. It was s;;t>-

1 factory to know that (he work was proving | of benefit to many who were at titties icm j pnrarily in necessitous circum.-t atwes. r ] lie numerous let ers from those who.ti the As- ! sociation had beam able to serve were much appreciated. In conclusion he desired tn record lit;; very satisfactory attendances that had been I maintained at all meetings during the year, j Members showed no disposition to relax ! their efforts in carrying out the work ot I the Association and continued to take the keenest interest in the well-brunt: of th<“ soldier citizens and their dependents-. The Mayor (Mr John F-tead) seconded the motion. He complimented the committee on its splendid work during the year. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICER?. The following officers were (hen elected : —President, Mr H. W. Royds (re-elected i - Mr J. MclJougall (Bluff) refused nomination in favour of Mr Royds; vice-president, Mr J. McDougtdl. On the motion of Mr H. la. Niven, seconded by Mr J. l.owdrn, a vote of appreciation of the work performer! by the emergency committee was carried by acclamation. The annual meeting of the Council was next held in order tn elect a committee. The president explained that the constitution provided that the councillors should meet in their respective districts for this purpose, but. as that was a representative meeting there was no reason why the committee should trot he elected 'hen. He moved the re-election of last year's committee. Mr Thomson seconded the motion. He expressed Iffs- warm appreciation of the way the country members had attended the meetings during th« year. The mo'ion was carried. Mr C. Bennet (Corel stated that attention had been drawn at a meeting of his society to the fact that the Manawatu Association intended to distribute its funds. This meant that other societies would have in the future to assist men belonging to Manawatu who took up residence in other parts. , It was decided to write to the Manawatu Association asking for the reasons for this step, and to communicate with the Advisory Board protesting against such action on oart of associations.