RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21099, 11 May 1932, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE

A meeting of the executive of tho Dunedin .Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night. There was a good attendance of members, presided over by Mr P. S. Anderson. MEMBERSHIP. Twenty-nine new ordinary members and two honorary members were elected. One transfer inwards and two transfers outwards were approved. Mr S. Jeffs, the association’s official canvasser, reported that he called on from ten to fifteen potential members daily. This did not appear to bo very many, but many of the calls had to bo repeated. Of all those who had been interviewed there had been only two direct refusals, and he was sure that tho membership would be greatly improved shortly. There had been three resignations during the past month, and all had consented to rejoin later.—Mr Jeffs was thanked for his services. The Secretary reported that tho figures in the membership campaign to date wore:—Dunedin, 809; Christchurch, 781. POPPY DAY. The President reported that the Poppy Day appeal had resulted in a response of £1,7C8 2s 3d up to date, and there wore several districts still to come in. This wonderful response was a very definite vote of confidence in tho association. There was every prospect of tho total reaching £I,BOO, as against tho total of £1,658 of last year’s appeal. FLOCK HOUSE. Mr IV. F. Forrester reported that the Flock House Committee was now operating, and members were being added to it. The first trainee was going forward tho following day, another boy had been recommended, and there wore four other applicants. The speaker moved that the sum of £75 he set aside towards the cost of sending forward trainees to Flock House. UNEMPLOYMENT AND POPPY DAY. Mr A. M'Hutchon reported that tho Unemployed and Poppy Day Committee had dealt with several applications for assistance. It had been decided that work for disabled men be continued, and any further scheme of work would bo considered as soon as tho Poppy Day returns were finalised, when the Minister of Unemployment had his No. 5 scheme working continuously, and when word was received regarding the war disability pension being treated as income. The possibility of tho country districts remaining on the old basis of the Unemployed Board’s No. 5 scheme would have to he considered, while a large portion of the money obtained in the country districts would have to ho used in assisting the unemployed in the country. A discussion arose on the question of soldiers’ disability pensions being considered as income when assessing tho work given to disabled soldiers under the No. 5 scheme, and strong exception was taken by Mr Paterson to the action •of the hoard in treating these pensions as income. It was finally resolved that telegrams he sent to the Prime Minister, Minister of Unemployment, and tho Unemployment Board urging the discontinuance of this. It was also decided to telegraph the Returned Soldiers’ Associations at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch and the headquarters at Wellington asking for an urgent deputation to wait on tho Prime Minister, tho Minister of Unemployment, and tho Unemployment Board with a view to its removal. REUNIONS. The President reported that he had attended a reunion of ex-service men at Kaitnngata, in company with several choir members, and had been very well received. Tho association there was very keen, and was working hard to obtain members. It was reported that returned soldiers’ reunions would be held at Alexandra, Roxburgh, and Mosgiel in the near future. GENERAL. It was resolved that a meeting of disabled returned soldiers be held on Friday, May 20, in order to place before them tho efforts of tho association in the way of having disability pensions not treated ns income.