SOLDIERS' CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 125, 27 May 1918, Page 2

SOLDIERS' CONFERENCE.

DOMINION DELEGATES MEET. A CONSTRUCTIVE POLICY. GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION. The third annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was opened this morning, in the City Council Chamber. It is expected to last till Friday. Major (Dr.) Boxer, presided, and about 40 delegates from all parts of the Dominion were present. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (already published), urged the conference to keep a proper perspective regarding all matters brought before it. and io deal with them in their broadest possible national aspect, leaving the local aspects to the local associations. He hoped that the public would understand that any destructive criticism that the conference / might indulge in had behind it a constructive purpose. The Association did not go in for pulling down existing institutions without suggesting a strong constructive policy in regard to all matter, for the benefit of returned soldiers. Some sections of the public were suspicious of the Association because they had not learned that this was its policy. RECENT APPOINTMENTS. The Association claimed to be the only oflicial voice of returned soldiers in New Zealand. At present it was rather like a voice crying in the wilderness, but there was much cause for gratification in the fact that the Government now recognised the Association as what it ■ claimed to be- It was especially gratifying to record the appointment of Mr. J. D. Harper, hon. treasurer of the the Association, as a member of the Pensions Hoard. In the last few weeks the Government, of its own volition, hud asked the Association to nominate a representative to sit on the Financial Assistance Hoard, and Mr. Morpeth, of Wellington, had been appointed. The attitude of the public was also growing more favourable. The Association was represented on the Advisory Hoard of the New Zealand Patriotic Societies, and there was good reason to hope that it would obtain representation on other bodies, in particular the Land Hoard. He felt also that the Association would probably be asked to review contemplated legislation affecting returned soldiers.

Dealing witli finance, the chairman said that it was unfortunate that but for the Anzac picture tour arranged bySapper Moore-.loncs the balance in hand at the end of the year would have been very small indeed. He hoped, however, that the Association's journal. "Quick March." if its sales were properly pushed by the branches, would place headquarters finance on a sound basis. NUT ONLY THE LAND.

Repatriation, the chairman continued, was the most important question that tho Association had to tackle. It iw not a plank in the Association's platform, but the master-beam of the whole" structure. He would define repatriation as "the endeavour to put back a man into the sphere of life to which he is best suited, anil in which he can do the best for himself and for the country as a whole.'' He believed that Government assistance should not be confined to the man who took up general farming, but should be extended to men who through disabilities were compelled to go in lor lighter work, such as poultry farming. The Second Division League "had lately mentioned the subject of a .Ministry oi Repatriation. He wished to say that the Returned Soldiers' Association had had this matter under consideration for many months. At tlie present time the Discharged Soldiers' Department was an appendage to the Ministry of Justice, and the Association felt justified in asking for a separate ministry, as in Hritain. He ®felt, however,' that the Second Division League had no right to talk about repatriation till its members had been expatriated themselves. (Applause.) With regard to pensions nnd allowances, the Association was not opposed to the Second Division League's movement in favour of increased pensions and allowances, and would hack it up provided the League altered its platform in favour ot all increases being made retrospective to September. 11114. In conclusion he urged the Association to keep n united front to the public despite inevitable internal differences of opinion. PENSION MATTERS.

Mr. J. D. Harper (hon. treasurer), in seconding the motion, said that the conference would have to decide what was to be done with l!)4(i unlinancial members, all of whom were in possession of badges. He thought that the legal position regarding badges should be determined. Dealing with pensions, lie said that the case of men suffering from neurasthenia and shell-shock would have to be. dealt witii, and aho that of men witii disabilities prior to enlistment. As a member of the Pensions Board he had been surprised at the number of men who had been accepted only to be rejected immediately on their arrival at Sling Camp. In most of these cubes there should have been no doubt as to the men's existing disabilities, though perhaps the climatic changes affected them when they reached England. 11 the slightest degree of aggravation was shown the Board gave a ease very favourable consideration. The provision-,! allowance of £l> 10/ a month worked very fairly, because, if a man afterwards received a higher rate permanently, the difference was made up to him, whereas if he got a permanent pension at a lower rate be \?as not asked for a refund of the difference.

After some discussion on linanee, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. *

DELEGATES WELCOMED BY MAYOR.

In connection with the opening of the annual conference of the Returned Soldiers' Association this morning at the Municipal buildings, a cordial welcome was tendered by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson) to the delegates before the formal business started. The Council Chamber of the city has been placed at the disposal of the delegates, and this was packed at 10 a.m.. when the welcome was tendered. Seated on the dais by the Mayor was Dr. E. Boxer, president of the Association, also Colonel Patterson, Officer-Commanding Auckland Military District, and Major Price. There were

also present in the room Mr. R. Burns, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Harbutt, president of the Industrial Association, Major Lusk (Farmers' Cnion), as well as a number of city councillors and several ladies. His Worship, upon entering the room, was received by all present rising to their feet. Mr. Gunson said that upon the occasion of the third annual conference of the returned soldiers being opened

in Auckland it afforded him great pleasure on behalf of the citizens to extend to one and all a, most cordial welcome.

His Worship remarked that if anything were required to emphasise the great work being done by tlie Returned Soldiers' Association a glance at the agenda, paper which bad been handed him would show its value as an institution. There was the question of uniform allowance, and also adequate mufti allowance. Mr. Uunson said he was pleased the Association was urging those points. They had tried to do what they could in that matter from Auckland. Another point was the question jof regimental funds. With regard to that he wished to state that Auckland had decided to contribute, and had already sent, £1,227. The Auckland quota for the New Zealand fund would be £5.000, and that would place £15,000 per annum in the hands of tho officers for the New Zealand Regimental Funds. If it were found necessary to increase that amount he felt sure that Auckland would be willing to bear its proportion Another remit, and a very important one, was that of settling soldiers on the land. He was glad the Government was getting plans for model cottages for soldiers on farms. It was of the utmost importance that the men who went on the land were suitably located and settled. (Applause.)

Speaking with a full knowledge of the conditions, he had no hesitation in saying that Uie returned soldiers in Auckland would bear more than favourable comparison with the rest of the community in Auckland as far as sobriety was concerned. (Applause.) Dr. Boxer (.Major N.Z.M.C.), in acknowledging the cordial welcome tendered, thanked the Council for placiim at the disposal of the conference the Chamber in which they bad met. He 'also thanked the Mayor for his offer to show the delegates the beauties ol" Auckland. If time permitted they would be pleased to accept that offer, but „• looked forward to a busy week in the conference. The National Anthem was then suin> by all present.