R.S.A.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17645, 23 December 1922, Page 10

R.S.A.

♦ ; THE YEAR'S WORK. A ronew of the year's work issued by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association shows that the twelve months just ended have been a period of continued activity. Since April Ist last lot) new members, and a large number of honorary members, have been added to the local Association, and a. new sub-branch has been formed at Cheviot. The Christchurch Association is now the largest branch of the U.S.A. in the Dominion, having a lead of almost S'X> financial members over the next largest branch. At one period during the winter months there were close on 200 returned soldiers out of employment in Christchurch, the majority <xf whom were married men with laniilies to support. By working in conjunction with the North Canterbury -n----enrploymeut Committer, waiting on public bodies, and Cabinet Ministers, with a view to providing more work, and by the raising of Poppy Day and unemployment funds to pay for work done iu the Public Gardens and elsewhere, the number of unemployed returned soldiers has- gradually been reduced, until to-day it stands at about 50 or 60. Almost every ivcek fresh cases have been reported to the Association of men breaking down in health on account of their war experiences. The Association takes the stand that all men who break down with T. 8., neurasthenia, or any disability clue to war service, should receive medical treatment, and pensions, from the Department, and that all cases of doubt should be submitted to an independent Medical Appeal Board, consisting of one medical man .nominated by the appellant, the local A.D.M.S., with a magistrate as chairman. The Association has found that some soldiers who were settled on the land by the Government when land prices were at their peak are now in grave difficulties. The Association recently secured from the Government the appointment of Land Revision Boards, and the Canterbury Board is now visiting soldier settlements in Canterbury, with a view to investigating the position of the settlers, and advising the Government what further assistance is necessary in each case. The Association has also been assisting returned soldier farmers to improve their dairy, 'herds, and with this object in view have been able to supply farmers with pure-bred Friesian and Holstein bulls on easy terms. The Association recently secured the appointment of a Government Commisr. Sion to enquire into its claim for increased pensions for badly disabled soldiers, soldiers' -Widows, and widowed mothers. It is understood that this report is favourable to the Association's claims, and it is hoped that as soon as Parliament meets, legislation will be passed giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission. During the year a large number of Imperial solditrs have come to the Dominion under the Overseas Settlement Scheme. Many have joined the Association, and an Imperial Soldiers' Committee has been formed to deal with problems which affect soldiers from the Old Country particularly. The Association will supply any Imperial soldier, who intends to immigrate to this country, with up-to-date information concerning the social and economic conditions pre-' vailing in the Dominion to-day. As the result of representations made to the Government by the R.S.A., free passes for. life on the railway have been granted to all men who are in receipt of full permanent pensions for motor disabilities,, and first-class - passes - at second-class rates have been granted to all soldiers >who are in receipt of permanent pensions of over 50 per cent, for similar injuries. The letters of thanks from individual members for services rendered by the Association, which are continually coming to hand, are abundant proof that the Association continues to perform an important and useful service for its members. During the year the soldiers' Saturday evening dances have continued to be a success, both socially and financially. The R.S.A. billiard team has won every billiard and snooker trophy open for competition in the district. This year it has gained the premier position in the Christchurch Billiard League. A series of outdoor sports.; matches, has been arranged between the R.S.A. and the Commercial Travellers ' Association. These matches cover cricket, tennis, and bowls, and they will be playecl annually for a silver cup kindly presented by Messrs A. Dey and H. Throp.. An effort, is also being made to arrange an annual football match between the Christchurch and Dunedin returned soldiers. On the 25th April last, the Anzac' Day service was attended by 10,000. people. Next Anzac Day an effort is to be made to secure the attendance of his Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Jellicoe, and General Sir Andrew Russell, K.C.M.G., who is the Dominion president of the Association.