CONFERENCE REMITS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 23 May 1933, Page 15

CONFERENCE REMITS.

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH DELEGATES CHOSEN. Remits for the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, to be held at Wellington next month, were discussed at the fortnightly meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association last evening, and most of them were approved. Those present were the president (the Rev. F. T. Read), Messrs A. L. Emmerson, T. L. Dmmmond, H. Fleck, J. S. Chisholm, R. M. Grant, E. W. Smith, H. W. Wilkinson, G. Dabourn, A. H. Parfitt, W. E. Leadley, H. St. A. Murray, and E. F. Willcox (secretary). The following delegates to the conference were appointed:—Mr Read, Mr Leadley, and Mr Fleck. Remits were approved as follows: "That the Government be again urged to amend the pensions legislation in order to provide for pensions being granted' for the wives and children of disabled soldiers, as follows: (a) Soldiers who were married whilst in receipt of a full pension. (b) Soldiers who were married more than seven years after discharge. (c) Soldiers who were married outside New Zealand. (d) Soldiers' widows who were married more than two years after their husbands' discharge, or who are unable to submit proof of prewar engagement. "In view of the fact that the above remits have been reaffirmed by the conference for several years past and no progress has been made, that the conference as a whole should wait on toe Cabinet to urge these important reforms." •' '' ■

, Premature Ageing;. "That in view of the premature ageing of returned soldiers, representa- : tion be made to the Government to secure the payment of the old age pension at 60 instead of 65 years, in all cases where it can be shown that such ageing has occurred as the result of war service." 'That in view of the increasing number of unemployed returned soldiers who are living in circumstances of dire poverty and distress, the Canteen Funds Trust Board be requested to make available a sum of £25,000 for the relief of unemployed returned soldiers during the ensuing 12 months." "That returned soldiers in receipt of pensions of up to 17s 6d a week HhaU be eligible for the issue of rations foy the Unemployment Board when no work is available." the Minister for Lands be urged to make loans again available under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, to enable partly disabled soldiers to secure small farms in order that the remaining earning capacity of these men may be fully utilised." "That the Unemployment Board be urged to give greater consideration to unfit single men. single men with dependents, and widowers with children, so that they shall not be forced to take work in camps which necessitates their absence from home for long periods." Unemployment Tax. "That this conference strongly protests against money used for the relief of unemployment among returned soldiers being subject to the emerge ency unemployment tax of Is in the £, and that Cabinet be urged to have thiß levy discontinued." "That headquarters be instructed to make a close investigation into the position of returned soldiers with war disabilities who are on relief work and have been required to sign a form absolving the Government from any liability in case of accident, and to take any steps necessary to safeguard the interests of these men." "That the conference define the qualifications and conditions of the issue of the gold badge of honorary life members of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association." The following remit was withdrawn: "That in view of the premature ageing of returned soldiers through their war service, the Government be requested to instruct the Labour Department ithat no unemployed returned soldiers over the age of 45 be sent to country camps."

Committees' Report. The employment committee reported that registrations for the week ended on May 13 were 319, and for that ended on May 20 327, a total of 646 for the fortnight. On the first week 172 days' work, costing £53 18s, was given, and in the second week 164 days' work, costing £sl" ss. The benevolent committee reported that during the week ended on May 12, 131 applications for assistance had been granted and one declined, and that during the week ended on May 29, 124 applications had been granted and two declined. ' The invitation of the Veterans* Association to attend the annual parade and service on June 4 was accepted.