WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7450, 14 July 1920, Page 3

WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

General Meeting of Members

A genera! meeting of member.-: lof the Western Bay ot Plenty Returned Soldiers' Association was held in the Assoeiotion's Clu-b Rooms last evening. Lieutenant - Colonel F. A. Wilson preside.'! over a largo attendance of member.; from all parts of the district. Dominion Conference1 The Secretary, Mr C- N. Clark, d-.-icg-.it/' to the Dominion Conference in Wellington, gave a report of the proceedings of the ConferI ence dealing with the reception !of the various remits submitted by the local branch in regard to the following nutters : Advances | under Discharged loldiers' settle- I ment Act;protest against influx of ] Asiatics; matters concerning the Hosking Estate; better medical treah.ie: t of tuberculosis patients ; that pensions be based on war disability and irrespective of | earnings ; that the scale of pensions be increased ; that advances for stock be expedited; that British veterans of any war be admitted as members of the Returned Soldiers' Association; Unit Anzac Day be declared a holiday. Nearly all the matters touched \ upon by the remits were dealt with by the Conference in a

j favourable manner. Mr Clark also read an address delivered at the Conference by Dr. Boxer. Advances to Soldier Settlers Mr R. Petherbridge moved— That this meeting of returned soldiers, having taken into, consideration the statements of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Lands regarding the finance of the Dominion and the possible r.Uecl ot a continuance of the present scheme of advances under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act in further increas ing the price of land, still considers Ihrd the only equitable and honourable course open to Parliament is—(.-i) To make the benefits of the DLcluirgod Soldiers Settlement Act available to all soldiers at present entitled to these benefits, an:l so avoid penalising many soldiers who have but recently returned to Mew Zealand, or have .lately been released from hospital or have lately completed their period of training under the Repatriation Department, (b) To provide that any loss incurred in doing so shall he borne by the country as a whole."

The motion was seconded by Mr'JLodman and carried unanim ously. Protest Against Asiatics Reference was made to the influx of Asiatics into New Zealand. Mr Clark moved—We, returned soldiers of the Bay of Plenty, strongly urg C the Government retake immediate steps to bring into force a very severe test for all Asiatics entering the country, as we consider the present "tests farcciil, also to greatly increase the poll taxes on all Asiatics ; in fact, U possible lo prevent Asiatics entering the country at all, and affirm the principal of a White New Zealand.

Mr G. Wilkie seconded the motion, which was put and carried unanimously. A Pensions Mailer Several speakers referred to the reduction and stoppage of pensions on account of earnings, and it was decided to procure particulars of local cases and make representations to the proper authorities. Vote of Thanks The Chairman moved—That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Clark for ibe able manner in which he represented the Association at the Dominion Conference.

The motion was seconded by Mr R. Pethcrbndge and carried by hearty acclamation. Auckland Sub-Association The Chairman staled that a new scheme had been devised at the Dominion Conference, dividing New Zealand into four districts. The Auckland district was a sub-Association, consisting of five groups, Auckland City, Norm Auckland, Waikaio, Cold fields, and SJay o f Plenty, the local association bo ing in the Buy oi Plenty group.

Iho Secretary read a report of the proceedings of the Auckland Conterence, which wa- held last month. Particular* were also given of the remits deait with by the Conference. Land for Soldiers ihe unanimously agreed—fhal tho Government be asrcod to t'ske ifn:njJiate steins'to secure ceM;iin atcas of 'and in the district Wrc settlement by returned soldiers. A \tue 0} thnnks to the Cha'Tman terminated the proceedings.