T.B. MEN’S SOCIAL HALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 151, 16 September 1927, Page 13

T.B. MEN’S SOCIAL HALL

WORK OF PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION To make the lives of tubercular returned soldiers more pleasant, the Auckland Patriotic and War Relief Association decide*! to remove the old social hall and erect another on tho new site in the Domain yesterday. Reporting on the question at the executive meeting, the chairman, Mr. V. J. Larner, said, “Some there are who hold the opinion that this association should take sole control of these men. and erect, equip and maintain a special institution for them. While w« as a Patriotic Association yield to none In our solicitude for the happiness and welfare of these unfortunate sufferers, we would not in my opinion be Justified in expending a large sum of money for such a purpose. “At the public meeting held for the purpose of raising our patriotic find, it was definitely laid down that the money subscribed would not be used to relieve the Government of its just responsibilities, but to supplement all that the Government could reasonably be expected to do. We have hitherto kept this principle ever before us. and I trust that we shall continue to do so to the end. Surely the onus of this removal and re-erection is on tho Government, who was responsible for the erection of the sh «:*ds on their present site. We have always looked upon the mein’s common room as belonging to us, in the same way as the Red C oss has looked upon the kitchen as theirs.” "BEST POSSIBLE SITE” Mr. Lamer said that Mease*. A. G. Lunn, E. J. Phelan and E. F. Andrews, who a cted as a special committee to look after the welfare of the men in the shelters, were unanimous in their opinion that, in view of all the circumstances, the site in the Domain v r as the best possible one obtidnable. The Pa trio i.ic Association wtus supplying for the benefit of the men daily papers, books and magazines, the use of a barber, arrangements for picnic* and motor-cars, wireless outfit, cane for basket-making, gramophone records, playing cards arid writing paper and envelopes. “Even those who object to the Domain ought 1o waive tlxeir objections.” continued the chairman. “We should do all we can for the men.” Mr. 11. Horton said that it was a pity the Domain was ever selected. As the question was settled the association should be generous in its gran*:. The executive approved of the action of the committee and gave it authority to remove and erect the commonrooms, no financial limit being stipulated.