R.S.A. CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 253, 24 October 1919, Page 6

R.S.A. CONFERENCE.

THE NEW CONST-TOTION. AN AGREEMENT REACHED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The conference of the New Zealand Returned Jrioldiers' Association, was continued this afternoon. Suißcient delegates were present to form a quorum, aud the Conlerence as su_ resumed, and proceeded to the dispatch of the remaining business. Mr. R. B. Bell (Wairoa) reported that at a meeting of the Advisory Committee in the morning it was decided, in view of the fact that they would have a quorum in the afternoon, to appoint a committee of 12 members to go into the draft constitution. The committee eat in the form of three sub-committees, and arrived at a unanimous agreement, which it was 'hoped would result in a complete settlement, and enable the Association to carry on in a businesslike , manner. Continuing, Mr. Bell said the Boundaries Committee recommended that five member associations be established. These would he: (1) Auckland, as at present; (2) Wellington as at present, less Gisborne; (3) Gisborne; (4) Canterbury; (5) Otago. The new member association would he Gisborne, and this would include the Gisborne Association and all local associations in the district. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr. E. W. Inder (Auckland) seconded the motion. Mr. Inder moved, and Mr. Bell seconded, the following motion: That there be a complementary amendment of the constitution to embody the terms of the report of the Organisation Committee, which has been adopted." The motion was carried. The chairman said he was pleased with the position, and that they were once again a united ibody. The position had been a most trying one. ■Mr. Inder referred to the contemplated resignations from the executive of Messrs. J. D. Harper and C. W. Batten. He moved that they be asked to reconsider their decisions until at least the next conference. Several delegates paid tributes to the excellent work done by both Messrs. Batten and Harper, and trusted they would be able to remain for longer service with the executive. The motion was carried unanimouel)', nnd Mr. Harper said he would reconsider his decision. Further consideration was given to the report of the Pensions Committee submitted to delegates earlier in the week. It was decided that the finding of the previous conference at Christehurch be rescinded, and it be recommended that the schedule of pensions for specific injuries of the War Pensions Act, 1917, and the second schedule thereto, be regraded by the addition of plus percentages up to 150 per cent (that is, £3 per week), the total percentage to be the minimum pension for total permanent disablement. It was also resolved that supplementary pensions and attendants' allowances should be over and above the rate mentioned, and dependents' pensions should be assessed at the present rates. Mr. Inder moved that a Pensions Appeal Board be set up to hear and determine appeals from decisions of the Pensions Board. Tlie remit was carried. It was decided that the claim of a wife who had been refused a pension on account of her husband, who had been disabled, be submitted to legal opinion, with a view to taking a test action at the Supreme Court to enforce payment of tne pension. ' After tho remainder of the report had been passed, a motion was carried unanimously expressing confidence in Mr Harper as the Association, representative on the Pensions Board.