HON. W. PERRY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1943, Page 4

HON. W. PERRY

RETIREMENT FROM R.S.A. PRESIDENCY FOLLOWING ON APPOINTMENT TO WAR CABINET. SUCCEEDED BY MR B. J. JACOBS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Consequent on his appointment to the War Cabinet as Minister of Armed Forces and War Co-ordination, the Hon W. Perry attended a recent meeting of the Dominion Executive Committee of the R.S.A. and said he thought it would be in the best interests of the R.S.A. and the country that he should retire from the presidency, but he left the question unreservedly in their hands. The matter was fully discussed and it was agreed that the appointment did not in any way infringe the non-party political plank of the association's constitution, as the appointment was to the War Cabinet and not the domestic Cabinet. It was felt, however, that, as the appointment was one that would occuoy all Mr Perry’s energies, and that he should be entirely free and unfettered to devote his full time and talents to the interests of the country, it would not be advisable for him to continue in the position of president of the association. For these reasons, and with his concurrence, it was agreed with regret that he retire from the position of president. Mr Perry has been connected with the executive since 1919, and has been Dominion President for the past eight years. The Dominion Executive feels his appointment to the War Cabinet is not only a well-deserved personal honour, but an honour to the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association. Mr B. J. Jacobs, Palmerston North, has been appointed to succeed Mr Perry as president. He is a wellknown legal practitioner and has been vice-president of the association since 1935. He has been president of the Palmerston North branch ever since its formation. His place as Dominion Vice-President has been taken by Mr C. O. Bell, Wellington. Mr Bell has been a member of the Dominion Executive since 1939 and is chairman of the Pensions Sub-Committee. In 1937 he succeeded Colonel Mitchell as chairman of the Wellington branch of the Disabled Service Men’s Re-establish-ment League and is now vice-presid-ent of the New Zealand executive of that body. He is Crown representative on the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board.