EX-SOLDIERS AND PENSIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 126, 21 February 1921, Page 4

EX-SOLDIERS AND PENSIONS

SHARP DEBATE AT R.S.A. MEETING

MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE RESIGNS

TWO COMMITTEEMEN TAKEN TO TASK Following a sharp discussion at last night’s meeting of the Dominion Executive of the N.Z.R.S.A., Mr. E. F. Andrews (Auckland) handed in his resignation and immediately left tho hall, refusing to- stay until the end of the session. Air. T. Long, another Auckland delegate, also left-tho hall, but did not band in his resignation. The trouble arose over the question of increased pensions for disabled soldiers, on which Air. Andrews 'had spoken with no uncertain voice, stating, inter aba, that the executive had broken faith with disabled soldiers, who “had nothing to hope for from the executive.” Prior to the unfortunate interlude, the meeting had been discussing the subject of war pensions. At the previous meeting of the executive the following resolution had been passed:—“That the Wellington R.S.A. be requested, to open the petition campaign by convening a public meeting of returned soldiers, widows and dependants at an early date in order to bring before the notice of the Prime Minister the inadequacy of the amount of £50,000 recently granted by the Government, and the fact that the Appeal Board, by reason of its being purely a medical board, fails to benefit the proper cases (viz., widows and dependants).” Last night Mr. Andrews moved: “That the executive is of opinion that the pension campaign decided on at the last executive meeting should be proceeded with forthwith, as the association is in honour bound to safeguard the interests of the disabled men.”

“It is imperative that the campaign should be commenced immediately," he said, ".otherwise the executive will ren>der itself open to a charge of having broken faith with the disabled man.” As an amendment, Mr. R. B. Bell moved: "That while laying it down that the proposals just carried be pressed on tno Government forthwith, and the whole question of increased pensions be kept •prominently before the public, this executive feels that as it will be a tactical error to prosecute its petition campaign at this stage, seeing that Parliament will not meet for the transaction of ordinary business until the end of September . ■ . and this executive therefore directs that the petition campaign be not launched' earlier than two months before the opening of Parliament for ordinary business.” This motion, was seconded by Mr. W. S. Smith. “Failed in Its Duty.” Direct opposition was expressed) by Air. Andrews. He felt that the executive had failed in the duty to the disabled man. “ T he executive has laid down a definite policy," ho said, “which was derided on at the last conference. We have not done all that we could have done to have that policy carried into effect." It was now proposed, he said, to still further delay the matter for. six months. The executive had been “weighed in the balance and found wanting by disabled men. "They are charging the executive with failure in its duty from. North Cape to the Bluff,” he added. "In my opinion, dhat accusation is just. ... If the executive does not carry out its pledges, well, the disabled men’, I think, will form another association. not, indeed, with the idea, of breaking ’away from this (association, but in order ti> form an association that will press their claims as far as increased pensions are concerned, and to secure increases. If the amendment is carried, meetings of the men will be held throughout the Dominion, and they will appeal to the Government for funds with which to carry out! their aims. The men are beginning to wonder what the association exists for. The country has made more war profits than any other land in the world, and I am sure it can afford to pay the men bigger pensions." The amendment was carried by 8 votes .to 4, Messrs. Andrews and Long asking that their votes in the negative should be recorded. Following on this, Air. Andrews intimated that he would resign 'his seat on the executive. He would, he said, get into communication with disabled men in various partg of the New Zealand, and would organise for file drawing up of a petition to the Government. He would openly take up the view that the executive had broken faith with t?ie men. "I do not wish to lake this action.” he said, "if the executive feels that I am showing disloyalty to the association.” Candour Appreciated. "I appreciate tho candour of Mr. Andrews and of Mr. Long,” remarked Mi. D. S. Smith, “in the attitude they hare taken up.” He moved: "That., as Messrs. Andrews and Long have signified their intention to announce publicly that disabled men have nothing to hope for from the action that the N.Z.R.S.A. is taking in order to obtain increased pensions for disabled men and thrir dependants, the executive regretfully indicates to Alessrs. Andrews and .Long that they should forthwith resign from this executive." Mr. Bell seconded this. In his opinion the members' referred to should be called to account tor the lengths to which they had gone. “They ha ™ up their stand because they failed to carry a point/* he added . □ By this time, Air. Long had retired from the room. . , The motion was carried, but on the further proposal of Air. Bell, t ie bers of the executive expressed tjie r regret at the resignation of Alt. Andrews, who had been "so valued a member of the executive for many J ea F ' The meeting urged him to reconsider his decision.