R.S.A. President Reports To Annual Meeting

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30092, 28 March 1963, Page 17

R.S.A. President Reports To Annual Meeting

One very good reason why members of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association should study the annual report of the association was that it would answer the question frequently asked, “What do you get out of membership of the R.S.A.?” said the president (Mr A. S. Farrar) in presenting the report last evening. Mr Farrar said the report contained a record of the work of the executive committee and its efforts to protect and further the interests and welfare of returned servicemen. servicewomen, and their dependants. “The R.S.A. is there to help with advice with pension inquiries. to assist with day-to-day problems which arise, and also to grant welfare assistance when required,” he said. Mr Farrar said that membership was again slightly down on last year, and appealed to members to assist the executive in trying to recruit more members. “The potential is there; it just needs a little effort on your part,” he said. War Pensions

Though an increase was granted in the basic rate of disablement pension, the amount granted still did not meet the claim of the NewZealand Returned Services' Association, based on the formula of the purchasing power of the £ in 1917, Mr Farrar said.

“During the year 96 war disability pension cases were submitted to the War Pensions Department. Forty-eight of the cases were for the review of existing awards and 48 were new claims." Mr Farrar said the handling cf w-ar pensions cases was one of the major works of the association, and with the passage of time this field of activity would increase.

The welfare side of the association's activities received little publicity because of the nature of the work involved, but the benevolent account revealed the need of less fortunate comrades,” Mi- Farrar said. Benevolent assistance grants amounted to £4921, and £4BO was granted by way of educational assistance. 1481 Interviews

During the year the secretary of the association (Mr F. Barron) conducted 1481 recorded personal interviews. Of these 535 were to do with war disability pensions, veterans’ allowances, and social security benefits, 364 related to affairs of the assocl it' n and personal problems affecting servicemen and their dependents. 227 concerned financial welfare assistance, and 221 were to do with funeral attendance and allied matters. Housing and homes accommodation accounted for the remaining 84. Mr Farrar said the demand on accommodation at the Rannerdale Veterans’ Home was a cause of concern. There w’ere no vacancies, and at least 25 were awaiting admission. “The majority of these are urgent cases of men in illhealth and living in poor circumstances. It is impossible to foretell how long these men must wait for admission,” he said.