RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 16990, 12 March 1919, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

The fortnightly meetingof the committee was held last night, Dr Harrison presiding. One hundred and thirteen returned soldiers were admitted to active membership. The following transfers were approved •. S. Harvey, from Gisborno; W. J. Borland, from Wellington; W. M. Will, from Gore; A. E. Withers, to Temuka; H. J. Sterling, to Wellington; P. Watt, to Balelutha; W. M'Callum, to Balclutha, The Minister of Defence wrote in reply to representations by the committee asking that financial assistance to soldiers should have a retrospective application. He stated that the regulations were extended to permit of grants being mado retrospective for a period of three months prior to the data ofapplication, provided the recruit was serving with the Expeditionary Force during the whole of the period. The regulations made no provision for the granting of financial assistance after the discharge of the soldier, but any soldiers not yet discharged could still apply for financial assistance.—lt was decided to recommend that provision should be made to permit of any man who has been on active service having his case considered by the Financial Assistance Board, and that his case should be compared with other cases where a grant has been made, and if found identical a refund of his insurance premiums should be made, this grant to be mado up to the time of his discharge.