RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10132, 9 June 1924, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD. The annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was opened at the Jellicoe Hall, Christchurch, on Saturdady morning. The vice-president of the association (Mr J. D. Smith) presided. There were also present: Messrs J. D. Harper treasurer (Wellington), M. Aldred (Auckland), E. F. Andrews Auckland), F. M. Cocks (Auckland), H B. Burdekin (Hawera), B. J. Jacobs (Palmerstcn North), N. A. Vercoe (Nelson), R. B. Bell (Timaru), W. & Leadley (Christchurch), H. Stewart (Christchurch), G. W.' Lloyd (Greymouth and Temuka), W. H. Stark (Kaiaooi), L. S. Graham (Invercargill), J McCrea (Dunedin), S. E.. Laing (Dunedin) Simpson (Ashburton), and 15 Orchard (Soutb Canterbury). Messrs Stewart and Lloyd were non-vot-ing members. Councillor A. A. McKeUar, DeputyMayor, who was accompanied by the town clerk, Mr J. S. Neville, opened die conference. He said that he had always taken a great interest in the association, and he knew that it was doing "-ood work among the returned soldiers. He wished the conference every success. Colonel H. Stewart, president ot the Christchurch Association, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Chnstrjmrch branch. The chairman said he was sure that the conference would be successful. He appreciated the fact that the heads of the municipal bodies were" taking an

interest in the association, recognising die force of the Returned Soldiers' Association in the community. The following committees were elected—Canteen, War Funds, Organisation and Finance, Messrs Bell (convener), IBurdekin, Aldred, Vercoe, Simpson, Cummins and the Rev. J. VLcCVea- Land, Immigration. Unem-nlc-vmen't, Messrs Jacobs (convener), Lesley. McCrea, Aldred, Cox, Burdekin Orchard, Graham and Stark; Pensions After-care and General, Messrs Smith. Laing, Leadley Harper, Cox, Vercoe, Stewart and Lloyd.

Annual Report. • The annual report first of all dealt with war pensions and the War Pensions Commission. On August 7, IVZ6, a meeting was arranged with members of' Parliament, and on August 20 a deputation to the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence resulted in further amendments being obtained. Ine efforts of the N.Z. Returned Soldiers Association, extending over nearly three vears, could be said to be solely responsible for the War Pensions Amendment Act, 1923. No finality had been arrived at in regard to economic and further, no definite effort was made by the Department to obtain employment for the applicants fo<- economic pensions. With regard to

the Appeal Board, the Association exi>ressed confidence in the efforts of Sir Frederick Chapman as the first president of the board. With regard .to his successor. Mr S. G Raymond, the Association felt confident that the same spirit of impartiality wouldl be shown With regard to the clothing allowance to amputees, the executive c-opsidered that the legislation should be amended so that .amounts granted to wearers of mechanical devices be lef+ to the opinion of the war lensioiis Board and not kept at the present fixed rates of £8 and £6. lhe ©vocative congratulated the Government upon the legislation in connection with the Soldier Land Settlement Act of 1923. The N.Z. Returned Soldiers' Association line ot policy Had been right for the revaluation of soldier settlement lands, and the LVM legislation made provision for this course of action. With regard to medical treatment and after-care, it was reported that attention had been paid to mental and shell-shock cases. Returned Soldiers' Association was a warm advocate of the Spahhnger treatment for T.B\ and urged the Government to investigate and isecure the New Zealand rights .to the treatment. During the past twelve months marked pi-ogress had been made in connection with artificial limbs, and the expert in Duralium limbs arrived and commenced teaching the Government Ar-

tificial Limb Factory employees m Wellington the necessary details, bir Donald MdGavin had stated that he was most anxious for amputees to obtain the best possible limbs and serThe N Z.R.S.A. delegate to the first biennial conference of the British Empire Service League (Sir A. H. Russell) had submitted his report. In regard to defence, most of the discussion was taken in committee, but the delegate considered that while Earl Haig held his present office defence matters-had a powerful supporter at the head ot the B.E.S.L. With regard to nublicity and reciorocity, he- had given instructions for the matter to be watched closed, especially with regard to notices posted up on ships carrying emigrants. It was essentially a matter

for the B.E.S.L. to approach shipping companies. Concerning migration, it would be the duty of the N.Z.R.S.A. to assist, in whatever way it could, and insist as far as might be, that the Government of New Zealand encouraged the development of natural resources and unoccupied lands in order that the power to absorb immigrants might be increased. He would recommend that as the national policy m addition to the N.Z.R.S.A.'s first duty in looking after the interests of ex-

soldiers. ■ . The report continued by retemng to the combined interest taken in immigration, and the hope was expressed that the conference would thoroughly discuss the question. After a considerable amount of discussion with the Defence and Railway Departments, it was arranged, said the report, that the free first class pass should b? superseded bv an "authority to obtairi rail ticket." The Defend' Department would pay the cost of the actual travelling ,dcme by the holder of the " authority." The association nledged that no further demands would be made unon the Department for extensions of the concession. Up to March 31, 1924, 173 free first class tickets had been issued and 304 first class authorities at second class rates. Branches Wound Up.

A further number of the branches had decided to wind up. Last year's membership showed a decrease of just on 25 per cent, on the previous year. The following associations were being, wound up:—Hauraki, Whakatane, Matamata. Te Aroha. Mackenzie County, Thames Valley, Balclutha, and Dannevirke. The total number of affiliated associations was now 51.

During the year Dunodin had increased its membership by 205, New Plymouth by 85, Te Kuiti by 63, Waipawa by 8, Motueka by 4, Temuka by 1. It had been decided to issue a small magazine, quarterlv for a start, to financial members. The Prime Minister promised the executive that an amendment to local body legislation to enable free passes to be handed to disabled soldiers would be considered. The balance-sheet showed an excess of expenditure of £263 13s lid, the total expenditure being £i332 4s Id. The chairman presented the annual report and moved its adoption. Mr Bell congratulated the sub-com-mittee and secretary on the comprehensive report. He said that he thought that some move should -be made in the commemoration of Anzac Day. He would like to see the matter discussed in committee. Mr Laing referred to the difficulties of getting Imperial pensions. He said that the revaluations of land had been fairly satisfactozy. Mr Leadley said that one disappointing feature was the serious decline in membership. The time had arrived when the association would have to depend on outside finance to carry on the work which the association had set itself out to do. He honed that the matter would be seri-

ously considered during the conference. Mr Andrews said that there were men who were in their graves to-day through the War Pensions Board. He Believed that the Government and the neople of the Dominion wished to see iustice done to the soldier, but the War Pensions Board seemed to be out to save every penny. He hoped for another opportunity later to speak on the matter. Mr Harper said that he wished to give an emphatic denial to Mr Andrews' statement.. He knew what was coming forward, and he knew what was behind it. It was a backhanded attack on the R.S.A. representative on the' board. It was an Attack on his integrity, as he was the association's representative on the board. As far as the Aprieal Board was concerned, it had allowed 149 appeals. The War Pensions Board had made'roughly 200,000'assessments, and of these there had been only 600 appeals. Mr Andrews said that if given the opportunity of replacing Mr Harper on the board he would not nut anyone else forward but Mr Harper. His attack was on the board, ndt on any member of the board.

The report was adopted.