SOLDIERS' PENSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 273, 17 November 1936, Page 11

SOLDIERS' PENSIONS.

I wish to protest, through the columns of your valuable paper, to the formation of a pensions soldiers' organisation, as separate from the Returned Soldiers' Association. Owing to the discourtesy of the secretary and the inability of the chairman, to control the" meeting on Nov. 12, I was not able to finish my remarks, hence I was forced .to walk from the room as a protest. If I had been allowed to finish all I had to say, I have no hesitation in saying that this organisation would not have been formed, and I say again that there is no need for another organisation. If the pensioner is dissatisfied and the R.S.A. is not doing its duty, it is up to him to protest, and if nothing is done then a complete overhaul is necessary. I did not go to the meeting as an emissary of. the R.SA.., but to point out that to have two separate bodies is detrimental to the returned men generally, and it is up to them to stand solidly behind an organisation that is already established. As I pointed out, the Returned Soldiers Association throughout New Zealand already" costs the returned men frcfm £10.000 to £15,000 for administration, and if the various social clubs are taken into consideration, no doubt these figures would "be considerably greater. I have no doubt that a few anomalies have crept in, but the figures shown by the R.S.A. (by successful pensions appeals) disproves the assertion of the organisers that the pension soldier is not looked after. Quite a few letters from men and women who have been turned down fflr pensions were read at last night's meeting. Again I ask, why did not these people complain to the R.S.A.? If they had done so, I have no hesitation in saying that their complaint would have had the fullest investigation, both in Auckland and Wellington. I would like to ask Mr. Cavanett if he read to the meeting tl:e telegram received from Mr. Lee, to the effect that the Government would not recognise any organisation other than the R.S.A? If not, why? No doubt if the telegram has been suppressed this explains why he blocked my speaking further, as he was afraid I would have "let the cat out." I have no hesitation in saying that I am not a't all Satisfied with the working of the R.S.A., but I cannot see any justification for a separate body. I have repeatedly contended that" the R.S.A. needs reorganising and new blood infused in the various executives, especially the central executive. I contend that a representative of the provincial district should be elected by popular vote of all men belonging to the various Returned Soldiers' Associations in that province. There would be nothing but disorder if our representatives in Parliament were elected by delegates sent to Wellington by the various local bodies, and yet this is the method employed by the R.S.A. in electing the Dominion executive. In conclusion, I would like to appeal to the executive of the R.S.A. to call a meeting to investigate the complaints of the pensioner, and I hope all returned men will rally to the organisation that is in the best position to fight their cause. E. H. HUNTER.