Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Thursday 15 August 1918, page 3


. REJECTED VOLUNTEERS.

"AN ASSOCIATION FORMED.

CONSTITUTION ADOPTED.

A largely attended meeting was held in

the Mayor's courtroom last evening for the purpose of forming a rejected i volunteers' association. Lieut.-Colonel li. P. Young presided.

In explaining the objects of the meeting, the Chairman said that, though he was president of the Returned Soldiers' League, he thought there was nothing invidious in his presiding at the meeting ing, for he felt that the returning men ; and the rejects had a great deal in common. 'The returned men recognised that the rejects had done all in their power to become soldiers, and they would do all they could to assist a re-jects' association. The returned soldiers were going in for a large club, and, speaking personally, and not in. his capacity as president, he would like to see them affiliate in some measure as regards their club with the rejects.

Mr. W. E. Cockayne, who had called the meeting, explained that similar associations had been formed in the other States, and at two places in Northern Tasmania. He considered it was up to those who could not got to the front to do all in their power for the men who had gone and for those who had returned, and to assist the relatives of soldiers. He then detailed the steps he had taken to arrange for the formation of the association. He had received assistance from the secretary of the Returned Soldiers' League, from the officials of rejects' associations on the mainland, from Mr. H. H. Cummins, and others, and had called a preliminary meeting to discuss details on Friday last.

Mr. C. D. Cuthbert said he had been present at the meeting held to make preliminary arrangements, and he thought they should congratulate Mr. Cockayne on the success of his efforts. Hobart was, he regretted to say, the last centre to form a rejects" association, but he hoped they would make up for their lateness now that they had moved in the matter. The rejected volunteers thought that if they could not go to the front they should not remain inactive, and there was abundance of work for then to do.

Mr. Hedley Barrett said that he and other returned soldiers would do all they could to assist in the formation of the association.

A member of the audience asked would it not be possible, instead of forming a separate association for Southern Tasmania, to affiliate with all the existing associations under a common

name.

Sir. Cuthbert said that this had been considered at the preliminary meeting, and it had been thought better to form an association straight away, and deal with the question of affiliation later on. Major Jolliffe then moved that an association be formed, to be known as the Rejected Volunteers' Association of

Southern Tasmania.

This was seconded by Mr. Connolly,

and carried.

Mr. Cuthbert then moved, and Mr. Wesley seconded, that the Southern Tasmanian Association adopt as its constitution the rules and regulations of the New South Wales Association, with two amendments, and this was

agreed to.

The constitution as adopted states that the objects of the association are: To assist all patriotic movements, and to safeguard the interests of the reject. I ed volunteers." Those eligible for meritI bership are men of military age who I have volunteered for active service with the Australian Imperial Force, and

hold a certificate to prove that they have been rejected. The entrance fee is fixed at five shillings, inclusive in badge, and a subscription of three shillings per annum is payable after the first year. The rules provide that any member, if called upon at any time, must be ready to submit himself for a further military medical examination, and in the event of his refusal or omission to do so, the committee may expel him from the association. In the event of conscription being passed, no reject under it to be eligible for membership of the association.

Mr. C. D. Cuthbert was unanimously elected president of the association, and Colonel Young vacated the chair in his favour. Before doing so, he wished the new association every success, and said

he hoped it would work with the Returned

Soldiers' Association against the cold footers," for there was no room for the ''shirker" in Tasmania to-day. (Applause.)

The other officers elected were as follows:-Vice-president, Major Jol-liffe- secretary, Mr. H. K. Connolly; treasurer, Mr. W. E. Cockayne; auditors, Messrs. R. B. Reynolds and Robinson.

It was agreed that the committee should consist of the office-bearers and seven other members, and the following were elected c Messrs, J. C. Rennie, H. H. Finlayson, H. E. Melbourne, J. A. Brent, S. W. Crane, J. HaighMiller, and C. Bayley.

A vote of thanks to Colonel Young for his assistance was proposed, and carried by acclamation.

About fifty of those present handed in their names for enrolment as, members, and the secretary stated that he would receive further names at his office, No. 38 Murray-street.