THOSE WHO SERVED

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 142, 17 June 1936, Page 11

THOSE WHO SERVED

WORK OF N.Z.R.S.A.

ACTIVITIES DURING WAR

REPORT TO CONFERENCE

An optimistic note is struck by the annual report of the executive of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association which was presented to the annual conference of delegates from associations throughout New Zealand at present sitting at Wellington. The number of men who are suffering from disabilities due to war service increases as the years pass, but the association is able to report that important progress in legislation to assist them has been made during the past year.

"Generally speaking, the year under review can be regarded in many respects as one of the most interesting and use/al in the history of the association," states the report. "It cannpt be denied that the progress that we have been able to record for some years in relation to one or two major objctives has been negligible. Nevertheless, the results of this year have proved that the continued efforts of the association in the interests of the men had not been altogether wasted, for ip the last session of Parliament of the last Government two most important pieces of legislation found their on to the Statute Book: The \ /ar Veterans Allowances Act, for which we are greatly indebted to the ability and interest of Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P., D.C.M., w"ho, in 1934, introduced a private member's Bill embodying the principles of the legislation, and the War Pensions Amendment Act, which partially removes some of the anomalies we have sought to have remedied for some y6 "Next it should be recorded that probably at no time during our history have been so constantly consulted.

on matters relating to the ex-service-men by Ministers 1 of the Crown and departmental heads. This at any rate indicates the proper consolidation o£ our position in the community when the interests of the ex-soldier are concerned. . "Finally, there is the continued increase in membership which this year has moved from 24,451 to 26,878. This is in a large measure due to the enthusiasm and ability of the executives of the various local associations, but it also betokens a returning interest of the individual and a realisation of the comradeship that our common service brought with it." EX-IMPERIAL MEN.

The report goes on to deal with the application of the War Veterans Allowances Act, and states that representations have been made to' the Government on behalf of ex-servicemen not yet covered >by the Act. It is estimated that'there are some 20,000 ex-Imperial servicemen and 3500 veterans of the South African . War resident in New Zealand. Many of these men suffer ■war* disabilities, and as they contribute 'to the general taxation fund-it is considered 'they should be provided for. The alterations made in the P r °V~ gion for war pensions are dealt witn in. • detail in the report. Special refer- -• ence is-made to the needs ol Imperial ex-servicemen resident in the Dominion, and details are the ■ .-visit of Mr. F. N. '.Smith,. 0.g.8., who .< investigated the position m New Zealand on behalf of the British Minister of Pensions. The Dominion executive discussed approximately; 150 individual ■ •cases with-Mr. Smith, and it is believed that the majority of the ex-ser-vicemen concerned are not fully exercising the privileges available to them. COTTAGE HOMES SETTLEMENT. "Marked progress has been made in connection with the Sandilands Cottage Homes; Settlement during the ! past year" the report states. "Following upon the laying of the foundationstone, by his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester; on January 21, 1935, building 'commenced, and, under the direction of the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr. J. W. Bean land), and the citizens' committee, the first six cottages have, been erected and are now. occupied by carefully selected ex-service tenants who took possession on January .1,1936. There are four cottages for married ex-servicemen and two for single, exservicemen—the stipulation being that the sfelected tenants are of the category of prematurely aged, or 'burnt-out' ex-servicemen, and thj rentals, which are nominal, range from two shillings and sixpence to five shillings per week. < ?Ttoese cottages comprise: .Married men's, living-room 15ft x 12, with open fireplace; bedro-m 13ft x 10ft, with built-in wardrobe; bathroom, washhouse, kitchenette 1 (electric stove and hot-water cylinder), with, ample.cup-' board accommodation;; and a sunroom " Bft x 6ft. Single men's, living-room 13ft X 10ft, sleeping porch 10ft 5c 6Jft; bathroom, kitchenette, etc.

"The cost of these cottages is approximately £400 each, and'exemption from rates enables the committee to admit tenants at the nominal, rental mentioned above. The rents collected are to form a settlement fund to cover repairs, painting, depreciation, insurance, etc. This cottage settlement scheme, it will be remembered, was made possible by the efforts of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association, and certain financial assistance, including grants from .the • National War Funds Council and N.Z.E.F. Canteen and Regimental Trust Fund; therefore the scope of its benefits, with respect to applicants, is Dominion wide. LAND MATTERS. ■ Representations were made during •the year to the Minister of Lahds regarding the position of soldier settlers ■ who were in arrears with their payments. One of the difficulties complained of was covered by Section 8 ol . the-Land Laws Amendment Act, 1935, which provides for revaluation, and although any reductions which may be made will not be retrospective, commissioners of Crown Lands were instructed to investigate all cases of arrears, with a view to making equitable adjustments. The onus of making application for revaluation is upon the soldier settler.

"Ih addition ,to the restoration of the provisions 'for revaluation, arrangements have been made to facilitate adjustment of rural mortgage liabilities where the State is the sole mortgagee," the report continues. "This is quite apart from the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act, 1934-35, although the confirmation of any adjustment agreed upon between the parties would be obtained under that Act. This additional provision, the Minister considered,' would, cover the Dominion council decision which proposed that those under the budgetary system should have their allowances progressively increased in accordance with the increased returns from the farm from the same capital outlay."