SOLDIERS' CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 126, 28 May 1919, Page 8

SOLDIERS' CONGRESS.

HIGHT OF MEMBERSHIP.

.PROPOSAL TO WIDEN LOST.

SOUTH AFBICAN TETERANS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCII. Tuesday. ' The annual conference of the New Zealand Keturned Soldiers* Association ( was continued to-day. ( The Wellington association forwarded a remit that~the regulations governing ' the admission to membership be extended to include all members of the ■S.imoan advance party. It was stated ( that an opportunity to leave the force without actual discharge iad been given ttt«he men, who had not rejoined the Lxpeditionary Force. Mr. Luxiord (Waikato) said that no man who went to Samoa originally knew what he was in for. They therefore de- ' served the same privileges as those who j had actually sailed for other fields. : The remit was adopted. The adoption of the report of the Board of Management of the "QuicK i March" newspaper was moved. Mr. RH. Daihousie (Auckland) said the conference would like an assurance that only returned soldiers were employed on the"staff. .Mr. Batten (Wellington) said the associate editor was Mr. L. •*"•• Fanning, who was not a returned soldier, but his appointment had been made after full con_-ideration. It was possible that consideration would be given shortly to the appointment of a permanent editor. The report was adopted and a committee was seL up to consider ways and means of improving the circulation and usefuhie-s of the paper. A letter was received from Mr. Hiram Hunter, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, extending greetings to delegates, and stating that the association had the cordial support of the j Federation, which, he said, was prepared! to co-operate with it to attain its objects. The letter was received. It was decided to refer questions regarding the basis of representation at the conference to the Organisation Committee. An Auckland remit to admit any person who had worn the King's uniform during the war was rejected. No decision was given regarding the eligibility of Red Cross. V.A.D., and YJiI.CA. workers for membership. A proposal that veterans of other wars who could show a clean discharge could qualify for admission as members was >rrj*ved" by Mr. McCalluni (Christchurch). SERVICE AND APPEAL. Mr. E. F. Andrews (Auckland) said the associations would be proud to admit to their ranks old veterans, hut would object to men who had served in other wars, but who had successfully appealed against service ln the' present •war. (Applause.) He moved an amendment to this effect. Mr. J. Melling (Auckland) seconded the amendment. He knew of a Soutn African veteran who contended that this service excused him from service iv the War. Mr. Leadley (Christchureh) said the spirit of the amendment was wrong. Mr. Melling pointed out that a certain Labour leader who had served in tht» African war had since been imprisoned for 12 months for sedition. The motion would entitle this man to join the association. Mr. Leadley: We could use our discretion about admitting him. Members: You could not help admitting him. The rules would compel you. The amendment was lost on the voices, and the original motion was also lost by a large majority. Mr. Brown (Wanganui) moved that a federation be formed with the South African Veterans' Association and other organisations of veterans to deal with any matters that might be of common concern. Mr. Malone (Napier) moved an amendment that the conference affirm the principle of admitting veterans of the South African and other wars, but that consideration of the matter be deferred for 12 months. Mr. Pridham (Wanganui) said the motion did not intend tha: veterans of ether wars should be admitted- to mem- i Lership of the association, but that the association should affiliate. The amendment was carried by a large •majority. RIBBONS AND CHEVRONS. The following remit was adopted:— •"That as returned men in country districts find a difficulty in obtaining the 1014-15 rihand and service chevrons, the Defence Department be requested to supply the same." Mr. Melling (Auckland) urged that the (ioverninent should be called on to call in all such ribands from the drapery establishments in which they were on sale and that a list of men entitled to the riband be drawn up. He gave instances of men who were wearing the 1914-15 riband were not entitled to it. Mr. Andrews (Auckland) expressed ti-.e opinion that the ribands should be I s.ibl only by licensed firms, who must I as=urr- themselves of the bona-fides of a purchaser before supplying him. He also gave an instance of a man wearing a wound€stripe when he had only been to Samoa. ACTIVE ESRYICE MEN. The executive submitted a remit which Was passed, reading as follows:—-- That it be a recommendation to the Government tha: for the purpose of inclusion Tinder the benefits conferred by the War Pensions and Repatriation "Acts, returned soldiers who were domiciled in Nnv Zealand prior to the war. and served with a force other than the New I Zealand Expeditionary Force.- shall be eligible only on proof being shown that they enlisted in Xew Zealand prior to such service with another force." A remit from Palmefeton North urged. "'That in the reorganisation of the fence Department and staff, active service men shall take preference." The chairman remarked that as far as experience was concerned, the matter was practically " washed out." If General Richardson accomplished as much • in the next three months as he had done in the last three weeks, there would very soon be none but active service men employed. The remit was adopted. ANZAC DAY. The Wellington Association sent in a Temit: ""That the Government be urged to declare Anzae Day a statutory holiday, and that the day be one of commemoration for those of our comrades who gave up their lives during the greal war." A remit from the Oamaru Asso riation aslo recommended that April 25 b? declared a statutory holiday for all time Several speakers expressed the how that Anzae Day would always be re garded not only as a holiday, but alsa g, holy day. The remits were carried in silence, dele gates.-.standiDS, . . .'.