RETURNED SOLDIERS' AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 18627, 7 May 1924, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS' AFFAIRS

EXECUTIVE MEETING. The /first meeting of the Executive Committee appointed at the recent annual meeting of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night, Mr J. M'Crae (president) being in the chair. There was a full attendance of members. COMMITTEES. The following committees were elected for the ensuing year:— Finance —Messrs W. Forrester, M'Hutcbon, P. Anderson; Social —Messrs Massey, Walker, Forsyth, Paterson, and Harro; Billiards —Messrs Mason, Holt, and Harre; Lands—Messrs H. L. Paterson, E, J. Anderson, and W. Forrester. DISTRICT DELEGATES. The president and the Rev. Hector Maclean were elected delegates to the district conference to be held in the Returned Soldiers’ Club room on Friday night. MEMBERSHIP. Four new members and one honorary member were elected, three outward and four inward transfers were approved, and one re-issue of a badge was made. REMITS FOR DISTRICT CONFERENCE. It was agreed that the following remits be forwarded to the District Conference : “ That the Government be urged to expedite the work of the Dominion Lands Revaluation Board.” “ That the Government be strongly urged to put section 25 of the War Pensions Act, into operation as affecting the setting up of local committees, it being the opinion of the N.Z.R.S.A. that the present system of administering the war pensions legislation in so far as the economic pension is concerned is not satisfactory; such committees to be given, power to act in the granting or withdrawing of economic -pensions.” “ That from the date of passing of this resolution all poppies handled by_ headquarters, N.Z.R.S.A., be sold outright to associations desiring to conduct Poppy Day - sales; and profit which headquarters desires to retain to be such as might be decided upon by the Dominion Council and the associations purchasing to agree that at least 50 per cent, of the net proceeds be devoted to reproductive work giving employment to Unemployed returned soldiers.”

“ That hearing in mind the large demand which still exists for pastoral runs, and the fact that no great number of such have been offered for selection, the N.Z.R.S.A. urges the Government to subdivide all Crown pastoral leases as they fall due, and if declared suitable for subdivision offer some for ballot to landless discharged soldiers.” “ That the recent district scheme of organisation ho abolished, and associations deal direct with headquarters on all matters.” , .

“That where an ex-soldier receiving treatment in hosuital as a service patient makes application for and is granted an economic pension such pension should date from the time when first incapacitated. MAORI WAR MEMORIAL.

A letter signed by K. Harawira, stating that it had been decided to erect at Tuahiri a South Island Maori War Memorial, was read. The writer added that in order that the desired object might ha attained it was necessary that approximately £I,OOO be raised by public subscription, and he appealed to the association to assist in this .direction.—The letter was received.