WAIRARAPA R.S.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1941, Page 7

WAIRARAPA R.S.A.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT

NEED FOR MAINTAINING ASSOCIATION.

PLACE IN POST-WAR PROBLEMS.

There was a large and representative attendance at the twenty-fifth annual meeting of the Wairarapa Returned Soldiers' Association held in the Masonic Flail, Masterton, last night. Members from Masterton, Carterton. Greytown, Featherston and Martinborough were present. The president, Mr R. Whyborn, presided. Apologies for absence were received from the Ven. Archdeacon E. J. Rich, the Rev. H. S. Kings. Messrs W. R. Birch, W. J. White, A. G. Rabbits (Carterton branch secretary). S. Herbert, H. G. Carter, A. Nisbet, W. W. Hutchings and R. Dyson (Greytown). Prior to the commencement of business those present stood in silence as a mark of respect to 22 ex-service men who had died since the previous annual meeting. “As never before the New Zealand R.S.A. needs a loyal and enthusiastic body from Auckland to the Bluff,” said Mr .Whyborn in stressing the need of maintaining the solidarity of the organisation. The R.S.A. could give a valuable and necessary lead to New Zealand and the Empire in post-war problems. “It gives us a thrill of pride to know that there are many members absent on active service overseas and in his Majesty’s forces in New Zealand,” said Mr Whyborn. He referred to the large increase in membership, which at present stood at 795, 37 below the record membership of 932 in 1921. Mr Whyborn stated that two remits, dealing with patriotic funds and soldiers' graves were being dealt with by R.S.A. headquarters. “There is no national policy to deal with soldiers’ graves,” he said. At present the matter was in the hands of local authorities, who had different regulations. He hoped that some policy would be formulated through the New Zealand R.S.A.

Mr Whyborn also referred to the work the R.S.A. was carrying out in visiting ex-service men in hospital and in supplying cigarettes, etc. The local organisation had played an importantpart in raising patriotic funds. The R.S.A. was well represented in the Home Guard and E.P.S. organisations. Mr Whyborn paid a tribute to the work of the central executive, branch chairmen and secretaries, and to the work of Mr H. J. Brass, Mr A. E. Prentice (secretary, with 23 years continuous service), Mr L. S. Nicol (treasurer for 15 years), Mr W. Whyte (quartermaster) and Mr H. G. Alexander. It was intimated that Mr Whyborn would not be seeking re-election as president as he was taking up military duties.

Mr Brass paid a tribute to Mr Whyborn’s services during his two year term of office. Mr Brass stated that Mr Whyborn had carried out his work during the most difficult years ever experienced. He had played an important part in the Masterton queen carnival campaign as chairman of the Army Queen committee. It was unanimously decided to place on the association’s records appreciation of Mr Whyborn’s services. A remit was passed, to be forwarded to Dominion Headquarters, that the name of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association be altered to the New Zealand Returned Services' Association, to embrace all his Majesty’s services. An appeal for volunteers for the E.P.S. evacuation and accommodation organisation (controlled by the R.S.A.) resulted in several men offering their services.

Mr G. T. O’Hara Smith stated that the E.P.S. was of vital importance and he deprecated any suggestion that it was only for unfit men. A resolution was passed affirmihg the confidence of the Wairarapa R.S.A. in the New Zealand R.S.A., and assuring the Government of its full assistance in the country's war effort.

Regret was expressed that Mr Whyte was absent owing to illness. It was reported that he had not missed an annual meeting for 19 years. Several members expressed appreciation of his' services as quartermaster.

The election of officers resulted: President. Mr H. J. Brass; vicepresident, Mr L. T. Wylie; hon. treasurer, Mr L. S. Nicol; auditor, Mr N. H. James; central executive committee, Messrs F. M. Cunningham. E. L. Nicholson, J. D. O'Connor. H. G. Alexander, W. R. McMinn and F. Shearer.

The appointment of Messrs C. A. Chennells (Carterton), A. G. Nisbet (Greytown), J. W. Fellingham (Featherston) and N. H. Thomas (Martinborough) as branch delegates to the central executive was confirmed.