RETURNED SOLDIERS' CLUB.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 76, 29 March 1916, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS' CLUB.

MEETING HELD LAST EVENING. BRANCH OF ASSOCIATION TO BE FORMED. Last evening a public meeting was k«ld in. the Town Hall' to consider the question of forming a branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. The Mayor (Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith) presided over an attendance of 28. The Mayor stated that he regretted that there was such a small attendance. He could only look at it in two ways: (1) that the public did not care what became of the returned soldiers, and (2) that the people were willing to help anything that they started. Ho would, however, take it that the public are prepared to do the. latter. He thought that something should bo done to help returned soldiers to resume civilian life. All the questions arising must be dealt with more or less in an experimental manner because we had no precedents to guide us. That was no reason, however, why we should be backward in tackling a.ny problem no matter how big that problem, was. Captain Simson had written a letter (already published) pointing out what steps might be taken to help returned soldiers. Captain Simson had recommended:— (1) The formation, in the principal towns of New Zealand, of Returned Soldiers' Clubs on sound lines; (2) an association of returned soldiers; (3) the' establishment of an Information Bureau.

Continuing, the Mayor stated tint the' Patriotic Committee had nsked that a public meeting be called. To his mind, ehere were not at tse present time a sufficient number of returned soldiers to warrant the formation of a Club. The financial burden would be more than the number of returned soldiers about the town, warranted. INTev-ert-heless, the second Suggestion of Captain Simson could be given effert to. There might also be some place whera the returned soldiers could all information desired. Tlifit would include the establishment of an Information Bureau. This had already been established in Wellington but it did not get all the individual information —that could only be got from the men themselves. It was for the meeting to decide what course should be taken in rc-efrence to ihis question. . :

The Rev. W. F. Stent stated that'h>? thought it wise to start the Club now so that it world be in good r>~der when there was a good demand for it. Things which started in a small way very often became a necessity later on. If the Club were started in a small way the ability to cope with a large demand would grow with each demand.

Mr. Skipper explained what had been done in the Wairarapa district in keeping a register of monies received regularly from persons for wounded soldiers.

Mr. A. James pointed out that Taihape and district would not suffer from lack of funds. Already about £12,000 had been invested for returned soldiers and the relief of their dependents. The object of the meeting was not to provide the returned soMiers with funds. They were met to establish a Club or an Association as suggested by Captain Simson, to bo of general assistance socially and any other way. He was inclined to agree with the chairman that it would be starting at the wrong end to sot un f 1 Club now. The 'establishment of a branch of-the Association was a different matter and he woul d support it, because, by the establishment of such a branch at an opportune time, the Association would be in the best position to say when and how a Club could best be established. The Association would mean that returned soldiers could gain many benefits which they would be unable to obtain individually. All the details of forming a Club might be gone - into by the Association. They would be well advised to consider the starting of a branch of the Association and to appoint a committee to work up the preliminary details and report at a later meeting. He would be opposed to starting a Club immediately without appointing an executive to get niore information. Mr. Skipper said he thought that a Club would at the present time be premature, but that he was in favour of an Association being formed. Mr. James then moved that a branch of the Association as suggested by Captain Simson be formed. In seconding the motion, Mr. E. W. Smith, M.P., said he thought a Club was premature, but he thought the Association would do good work. He regretted the small attendance but he thought the people only wanted a lead. If an executive w'eTe set up he thought they should approach those gentlemen who had offered to assist the Club. The executive could find out whether a room was available—possibly the' Council could arrange for a room in the Town Hall buildings to be granted for the use of the Association. They should impress on the returned soldiers the importance of attending a meeting of this sort. The motion was then put and car-

tion just .carried disposed of the question of forming a Club. The chairman stated that hojtoo it: that the meeting favotritard the formation of an Association, now and members of the Association would Bear in mind the question of forming a Club at a later date. The following Committee was then, set up:—Rev. W. F. Stent, J. Thurston, E. McLaughlan, S. Reid, W. Lyall, T. Shute, G. W. Plummer, W. Mercer, j. Evans, and H. D. Bond. At a meeting of the Committee helct subsequently the Rev. \V. F. Stent was elected chairman and Mr. Plummer secretary.