R.S.A.’s role criticised

Press, 1 June 1985, Page 6

R.S.A.’s role criticised

PA Tauranga The Vietnam Veterans’ Association has disowned the Returned Services’ Association as its representative in seeking compensation from the Agent Orange fund. The vice-president of the veterans’ association, Mr John Moller, of Tauranga, said the R.S.A. was interfering in the private legal affairs of the veterans, and had no right to claim involvement in the successful quest for compensation. “The R.S.A. does not re-

present us in any way,” Mr Moller said. “It has not had an input It has done a lot of talking, but no action.” Mr Moller said the R.S.A. involved itself in the quest for compensation about a year ago, when it became obvious there would be a settlement over the issue in the United States. The veterans’ association approached the R.S.A. when it started researching the effects of Agent Orange on New Zealand Vietnam veterans about five years ago. It sought financial assistance for legal services.

“There was a lot of writing, with negative replies,” Mr Moller said. One R.S.A. club replied saying it could not help because the veterans’ association was not affiliated to the R.S.A. “Most Vietnam veterans are members of the R.S.A. in their own right, and so they are affiliated,” he said. Mr Moller said the R.S.A. should have collected funds from its many clubs at that time and set up a trust for veterans and their families suffering illnesses related to Agent Orange.