SOLDIERS AND LAND

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 138, 15 June 1927, Page 10

SOLDIERS AND LAND

CONFERENCE REMITS

HOUSING ADVANCES

REOPENING THE ACT

The annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was resumed to-day ' in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, the Dominion president (Major-General Sir Andrew Russell) in the chair.

The following land remits were carried with little or no discussion:—

"That the Hon. Minister of Lands be again requested to furnish a statement as to the possibility of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act tieing reopened for housing purposes at an early date."—Dunedin R.S.A.

A note to the remit stated: "It is thought, that the amounts being repaid as principal and interest, into this fund Tvould permit of considerable advances being made from the fund."

"That this' council reaffirms the policy, of the New Zealand R.S.A.' for the subdivision of suitable areas of Crown lands when the present leases are terminated, and where the land could economically carry a large number of settlers."—Dunedin R.S.A.

"That in view of the remit placed or to be placed beforethe annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union by the Hawkes Bay Farmers' Union, supported by the Poverty Bay Farmers' Union, proposing that steps be taken to remove the. preference to returned soldiers at land ballots, and in view of the 'fact that niany return-' ed soldiers have delayed applying for land until suitable land can be obtained at a -reasonable price, or until the soldier has obtained the necessary farming experience, this meeting emphatically protests against the removal of such _ privilege and that the Minister of Lands be advised accordingly." Gisborrie B.S.A.

"That it be a recommendation to the Dominion Conference that endeavours be made to secure the benefits of the Repatriation Act in regard to loans for furniture to those returned soldiers who, through _ force ' of' circumstances, could not 'avail 'themselves of the: benefits when"the Ac 6 was passed: "—Wellington R.S.A. . -■ "

"Tliat'when a'soldier is unable to pay both principal and interest in full, but can pay interest, he may at the discretion of the Land Board be allowed the usual rebate on his interest." —Waikato R.S.A.

With.reference to the Ngaroma and Kaihere Soldier Settlements, the. following special remits were adopted:—. "That the New Zealand. K.S.A. recommend to the Government: (1) That compensation bo made to the settlers where the section has proved valueless; (2) compensation to be paid to the settler for such capital as he has himself sunk iv the sections as well as for the years ho has wasted; (3) that the above settlers be given the opportunity of acquiring new sections; (4) that the above compensation take the form of grants to work the new section acquired by the settler." SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS. The conferencealso recolved:—"That this conference recommends * that the South African veterans be given the same privileges under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act as the return-' ed soldiers from the Great War." ,- It was resolved to make to the Government the following recommendation: —"That as repayments are made by i-er turned soldiers who obtained loans for housing, such repayments be earmarked for further loans for housing to soldiers who. did not avail themselves of the privileges of section 2 of the D.S.S. Act, when the scheme was in force." THE UNEMPLOYED. Remits dealing with the unemployment problem were carried as under:— "That'the Government, be urged to make provision for disabled returned i soldiers ('wingies'),-of. whom, there are a considerable number, by providing work as lift attendants, nightwatchlnen, or messengers in Government. Dei.partments."—Wellington R.S.'A. , "That in view of the fact that many returned soldiers apply to the E.S.A. for assistance in. securing work we would urge that the Government assist the R.S;A. by notifying any employmerit that is available in the Govern-, ment Department." — Wellington R.S.A. ...•■'.• . ■ "That in view of the fact that the scheme of co-operation, between the Labour Deportment and the N.Z.R.S.A. in endeavouring to find employment for partially disabled and. disabled ex-sol-diers has proved more or less abortive, this conference urges the Government to again endeavour to place as niany unfit men as possible in its own Departments. "—Dunedin R.S.A. "That this conference again urges the Government to provido regulations during the next session of Parliament to provide for permanent casuals in Government Departments who have proved efficient and satisfacory' workmen being appointed permanent officers in their Pepartment. "—Dunedin R.S.A. -.; It was resolved: "That tlw council approach the Government in the direction of getting money derived from the Poppy Day fund, or other sources, to relieve unemployment, put on the same basis as regards subsidy as moneys contributed by patriotic societies.'' METAL OR WOODEN LIMBS ? With regard to artificial limbs, the sub-committee on war pensions" and after treatment reported that Mr. Miller, the representative of the .limbless men, had attended the committee meeting and had made a statement on the matter. His "main point appeared to be that the letting of GSvernment contracts would mean the withdrawal of the opportunity for limbless men to procure the limb they personally desired—either wood or metal " The committeo passed the following resolution, which, after some discussion was carried nem con:—"That this committee heartily approves of the Government's action in delaying acceptance of any tender for a supply of standard artificial limbs in the meantime. It recommends that 'the best limbs procurable.from England and the Government's proposed standard limbs bo tried out for twelve months before letting any contract. Further, that limbless men should be given the choice between a metal and a wooden limb " It was decided to urge upon the Government "that first-class railway warrants bo issued to all pensioners (travelling for medical treatment or medical examination) suffering disability of 50 per cent, and over, and secondclass warrants to all others travelling for the same purposes." ■ POST-WAR WIDOWS. The conference roffirmed the decisions of previous conferences in favour of an amendment to the War Pensions Act to provide for war widows who were married over two years after their husband's discharge from the A*my, and recommended that the standing subcommittee arrange the drafting of a Private Member's Bill for submission to Parliament. ■•■■'•;