WAIRARAPA R.S.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1940, Page 3

WAIRARAPA R.S.A.

PAST YEAR’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP. DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF.

The twenty-fourth annual report of the Wairarapa Returned Soldiers’ Association for the year ending March 31 states, inter alia: ‘‘The business of the association has been conducted in the greatest harmony, and on the whole, the attendances of members of the committee has been good. Where meetings have been held in the centres outside.of Masterton, the opportunity has been taken to meet with the local branch committees, so that the utmost co-ordination in the affairs of the association has been obtained. The year under review has been a very busy one, and owing to the extra work occasioned by the outbreak of war, has been one of the heaviest on record, requiring the sacrifice of time and energy of all members of the committee.

MEMBERSHIP. “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. Our strength numerically stands at 672. comprising 620 renewals and 52 new members, an increase of 65 over last year. The association occupies eighth place on the financial membership ladder of the N.Z.R.S.A.. compared with 11th place last year with a membership of 607. 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 privil-

eges for 5s per annum. “A glance at the accounts will show that the present membership of 672 yielded an income of £369 5s on which a capitation levy of £4l 16s 9d was paid to Headquarters, N.Z.R.S.A., for administrative . upkeep. Membership is open to all ex-service men of the British armies, navy and air forces of the Great War of 191418, or of any previous war waged by the Crown, provided they saw service away from the country of their enlistment and have .received an honourable discharge. Members of the mercantile marine who served on transports in a war zone and who received the Mercantile Marine and Service medals, are also eligible, and ex-army nursing sisters are also entitled to full privileges of membership. The badge of the association has earned the distinction of being the most exclusive and honourable emblem that can be worn by any citizen, and is made the more valuable by the fact that active service is the necessary qualification required, before any person can become a member of the association. The new miniature badge is eagerly sought after by members and as this can be issued only to financial supporters, it is highly desirable that all eligible ex-servicemen should enjoy the privilege of wearing it.”

RELIEF FUNDS. After referring, to the financial position of the association and its administration of relief, the report proceeds: “The total receipts in the three relief funds for the year amounted to £548 15s 7d, and the total sum paid out in relief was £365 16s lid. These funds were administered at a cost of £8 4s 2d, the ratio of expenses to receipts being 1.45 per cent and to receipts and disbursements .7 per cent.” Poppv Day receipts totalled £4716, which plus Canteen Fund grants of £1678 and Wairarapa Patriotic Association grants of £1420 made the total relief receipts £7814. Out of that sum grants totalling £6034 had been made while a sum of £232 was in hand at March 31. The money raised for the entertainment of visiting Australian ex-servicemen, whose visit was postponed on account of the war, was being shepherded for the future entertainment of Australian visitors. Periodic visits had been made to hospitals by the secretary and branch secretaries and tobacco and other comforts distributed to “Digger” patients. The report goes on to refer to soldiers’ graves, life members, social functions and activities arising from the outbreak of the war and other matters. Reference is made to the successful work of the branches and to the activities of the Wairarapa Patriotic Association. Appreciation is expressed

to the ladies of the wartime Liverpool Committee and their friends for providing morning tea on Anzac Day, to the ladies of the Wairarapa who so gladly and willingly undertook the organisation of poppy sales, and to the public for its response. APPEAL TO MEMBERS. “In conclusion,” the report states, “your 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. As the war years recede further into the background, so time is having a telling effect upon the ex-service men, who by reason of advancing years, infirmity or war injuries are unable to compete on an equal footing with the younger generation, consequently the loss of earning power through one or another of the above causes is reflected in reduced and often limited incomes, in some instances confined to State pensions, and the help that the association is able to give from its relief funds is of great value to many ex-soldiers and their dependents, and is sufficient indication that, far from the work of the R.S.A. nearing its completion, the need of co-operation between the exservice men is becoming more and more apparent.” The report is -signed by the president, Mr R. Whyborn.