Shanghai, Mar. 9. 'NEW constitution considerably widening the scope of the United Services Association was adopted at an extraordinary general meeting of the association held after the annual general meeting last night in the Royal Air Force Asso n's. premises the Dome of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank building. By this new constitution all those who serve in any wars on behalf of Britain wi be eligible to membership of the Association.
Thanks to the energies displayed by the committee before ind, there wa a record attendance of members for the meet more than a quorum for the extraordinary meeting which had to adopt the change the constitution.
The business of the annual meeting was carried through with dispatch. The chairman be unavoidably absent, Mr, Hugh Middleton presided and briefly reviewed the year's working, His proposal of the adoption of the report and accounts was seconded by Mr. E. F. Hardman and carried, "The year 1099 proved itself to be the most momentous one in the tory of the Association, and the shi Alow of the European conflict is. apparent. even in this farcdistant ly, aid the chairman. Ths, apart from oni pence time work, an extra burden has been placed onthe shoulders of your Committee.
"But before proceeding to discuss events since the oulbrenke of War in Surope, 1 will touch upon. our gene tray work which, 93 you are aware consists, largely of providing "relief for all ex-service men, whether mem bers of our Association or not, and their dependents; also we endeavour {o place such men in employment, whenever "possible, "You will dour haverobserved from the Report that the number of calls on our purse sil largo, there having. been 7 Separate grants during the year under views but 1 would emphasize the et that, owing tothe greatly me creased east of living in Shanghai and the low rate of exchange now Ulin bur total disbursement has beet Greater than ever. before. Payment St passage money for repatriation and other eases mut in the main, be made {n'sterling and this n'a serious drain on our resources while exchange remains at Lis present level, However, You will be pleased to note that we Have been "sticcesstul in maintaining the level of our General Fund, thanks {othe many. generous donations received during the course of the year Sha tothe special British Legion During the year under review, it became apparent to your Committee that with aonormat conditions entalle Ing exten clerical duties, we could no Tonger expect Mr. Putlen to. carry ants, out Secretary in an, Honorary papacy." consequently. action " was taken i accordance with Rule 8 ¥a)
the Constitution
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.