THE ORGANISER'S WORK.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 2, 26 March 1920, Page 9

THE ORGANISER'S WORK.

This year the District Organiser (Mr D. Colquhoun) has been working in connection with the Oamaru, Dunedin, Central Otago, Gore and Balclutha Associations. — OAMARU. — The Organiser addressed a meeting of the Oamaru R.S.A. on Tuesday evening 6th January. There was a good attendance of members and the aims and policy pf the N.Z. R.S.A. were clearly explained. Owing to the fact that there are no large townships in North Otago the executive of the Oamaru R.S.A. decided not to form sub. associationjp but to form committees in each district. During the month of January Mr Colqulioun addressed meetings and formed ccmmittees in the following places : — Maheno, Ngapara, Papakio, Duntroon, Kurow, Omarama, Pukeuri, Enfield, Kakanui, T.karahi, Herbert and Hampden. The attendance at the meetings with a few exceptions was small. The organiser was greatly assisted in his work by the secretary of the Oamaru R.S.A. (Mr J. Forbes), also by the membov f of the executive. — CENTRAL OTAGO. — Sub. Associations of the Dunedin R.S.A. Iiavt been formed at Lawrence, Miller's Pia t and Ranfurly. Mr Colquhoun addressed fairly large meetings in these towns during the first week in February and the sub. associations prcmise to be live concems. — GORE. — The latter part of February was devoted to work in the Gore district. A meeting of members of the Gore R.S.A. was held f'ji Monday 16th February when there wa3 a good attendance. A sub-association was formed at Mataura ■with. a strong membership. Meetings wero addressed and committees formed in tha following districts : — Pukerau, Waikaka-, Waikaia, Balfour, Riversdale and Mandeville. The attendance at the meetings was good. Mr H. Watt the new secretary of the Gore R.S.A. accompanied the Organiser and ga-ve valuable assistance, also the members of the Gore executive. — BALCLUTHA. — This month has been devoted by the organiser to putting new life into the Clutha Association. The Clutha Association has been unfoitunate in losing the chairman, who left the district, also the secretary who is in hospital. It looks very much like the Association becoming dead altogether. The Organiser visited Balclutha and with the- help of the remaining members of the committee held a meeting on Monday evening, 8th March. There was an atterdance of 50, including representatives frcm Milton, Owaka, and Kaitangata. The meeting was most harmonious and enthusiastic. New Offrce-bearers and a new committee were elected. Mr J. F. Walsh was appointed secretary pro tem. The representatives from the outside districts expressed their willingness to do everything to keep the Association alive. The Balclutha Association is on a very sound financial position and has a membership of 400 with every prospect of an increase. A proposal is on foot to form a South Otago Association with head-quar-tcrs at Balclutha, taking in the following districts, Clinton, Owaka, Kaitangata, Milton, Lawrence and Roxborough. The Organiser during his travels lias assisted many individual soldiers. At his meetings Mr Colquhoun tells (1) The organisation of the N.Z. R.S.A. (2) Aims of the R.S.A. (3) The Government Departments which aie responsible for the administration of matters affecting returned men. Also hcnefits available under the various Government schemes. (4) The matters the Association is endeavouring to get improved or remidied.