WAIRARAPA R.S.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1939, Page 9

WAIRARAPA R.S.A.

MEMBERSHIP SHOWS LARGE INCREASE ADMINISTRATION OF RELIEF FUNDS. TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. “It is pleasing to report that the financial membership at the close of the present year has exceeded in numbers any figure approached since the year 1921,” states the twenty-third annual report of the Wairarapa Returned Soldiers’ Association, to be presented at the annual meeting on May 17. "Our strength numerically stands at 607. comprising 582 renewals and 25 new members, an increase of 137 over last year. The association occupies tenth place on the financial membership ladder of the N.Z.R.S.A., compared to 14th place last year with a membership of 470. Although the annual subscription is fixed at 10s per member,- a number of members are not in a position to pay that sum without hardship, and as one object of the association is to encourage membership, those members in less fortunate financial circumstances were admitted to full membership privileges for 5s per annum. A glance at the accounts will show that the present membership of 607 yielded an income of £264 on which a capitation levy of £37 12s 9d was paid to Headquarters, N.Z.R.S.A.. for administrative upkeep.

. .■. Except for a few incidental trade accounts unpaid, the association has no external liabilities, the liabilities shown in the balance sheet being to the association itself and not to outside creditors. The social account shows donations £25 IGs 5d and expenses £45 4s 4d, a deficiency of £l9 7s lid, which was met by transfer of that amount from the general fund. Interest earned on the Post Office Savings Bank Account, £ 102 15s lOd. has been credited to the general fund. RELIEF FUNDS. “The association administers relief from three separate funds, viz.. Poppy Day Fund, Canteen Fund, and Wairarapa Patriotic Association Fund. . . . The total receipts in the three relief funds for the year amounted to £557 Us Id, and the total sum paid out in relief was £367 Us sd. These funds were administered al a cost of £ll 15s 7d, the ratio of expenses to receipts being 2.15 per cent and to receipts and disbursements 1.18 per cent. . . . The association’s relief funds have been administered by a special committee of the chairman, treasurer, secretary, and Messrs R. Whyborn and W. J. White, and all possible measures have been taken to prevent their unjust use or ’exploitation. All ex-service men resident in Wairarapa on sustenance, or unemployable, were invited to register with the association and grants were made during the winter months of amounts commensurate with their domestic and economic positions. EVENTS OF THE YEAR. “The report goes on to refer to the visit paid by a party of 50 sons of New Zealand returned soldiers to Furlough House, Sydney, for two months. During the year a branch of the New Zealand Defence League had been formed in Masterton and an opportunity was given to members individually of the R.S.A. to join the National Military Reserve of ex-service men. Periodic visits had been made to hospitals by the secretary and branch secretaries and tobacco and other comforts distributed to “Digger” patients. During the year the immediate past chairman, Mr J. H. Irving and the secretary,. Mr A. E. Prentice, were elected the first life members of the association. Social evenings had been well attended. Success had attended the efforts of the committee in the many cases of pensions dealt with during the year. Branches of the association were being successfully maintained in Carterton. Greytown, Featherston and Marlinborough, all of which were live bodies and were growing yearly in numerical strength. The committee appreciates the work of the Patriotic Association in the interests of returned soldiers needing assistance. Thanks are expressed to the ladies of the wartime Liverpool Committee and their friends, to the ladies who undertook the organisation of poppy sales, to the auditor, Mr N. H. James and others who assisted the association during the year. In conclusion the committee appeals to members for their full support of the incoming committee and to back up its efforts in the direction of maintaining the association and assisting the objects for which it stands.” The report is signed by the chairman, Mr H. J. Brass.