RETURNED SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 139, 16 June 1927, Page 17

RETURNED SOLDIERS

DOMINION CONFERENCE

CONCLUDING BUSINESS

The N.Z.R.S.A. conference was'continued yesterday afternoon under the chairmanship of Major-General Sir Andrew Russell. ""■■

The following Wellington R.S.A. remit was discussed: "That with-regard to the_ treatment of returned soldier outpatients, and in view of the fact that complaints have been made by men who, after -waiting a considerable time at the hospital, have had to leave without receiving attention, the Pensions Department be requested to endeavour to relieve the position by making arrangements whereby undue delay will' be avoided or to arrange that one special day mil be set aside for ex-service men only." -.....•..,..

The conference decided that this was a local matter, but recommended that the executive standing sub-committee should co-operate with the local associations affected. ■ .

The • Waikato R.B.A. .remit—"That 1 headquarters approach th«s Government with a view to having.old'age pensions made available for returned soldiers at an earlier age than to civilians"—was defeated on a show of hands. So also were an amendment* by. Dr. Tweed, to the effect that an allowance-' of two years off the age limit for old-age pensions be made for each; year of, service overseas, and a further amendment by Mr Lloyd that old age pensions be made available for returned soldiers .at the age of 60= years. i

The following remit was carried, unanimously:—"lt having .been brought to. the notice of this conference that the Pensions Board when awarding wife's and -economic ipeh^ions (in. the case of an appeal having been successful after- the Pensions Board; declined pension on attributability grounds) has deducted such";-amount';-as may have been,awarded from a patriotic society, representation; be made^ to the Pensions Board that such.procedure- bo discontinued, and in future any;such sums be reimbursed to-the patriotic'society* concerned." - .■;;.;..... ..

On the motion of Mr J. D. Harper, Sir Andrew Bussell; was again re-elected president by acclamation- and the sinemg of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow?" _ Sir Andrew suitably ..responded, saying that it was a very great pleasure to him to ao anything he eouia to help the asaociation. He. was very proud of, and very touched by, their re-electing him So^?^ ars in sucoossion. (Applause.) Mr W. Perry was re-elected vice-presi-dent by acclamation, aiid Mr J. D. Harper Dominion treasurer, . -...."; The following were appointed the executive committee: Messrs D. G. Mun/wu- T ? att«n > and A. T. Duncan (Wellington); 8..A. Cuthbert and W. E Xeadley (Christchurch); -A. C. Lams : and J. M.White (OtagcO; N. A. Vercof (Nelson-Marlborough); S. Austin Carr and M. Aldred (Auckland). - Messrs Clarke, Menzies, .Griffin and m unopposed; Mr M.^ Aldred wasre-eleeted as the representative of the N;Z.B.S:A. on the Canteen ana Regimental; Trust Funds : Board; and Mr Newton M'Conoclue as the representative of. the association upon the New Zealand-Farmers' Union

r«™ .\\ HaiPer .wa» nominated to repreße^ S ,the associatiott'on the National War Funds Committee.