R.S.A. CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 22684, 25 June 1937, Page 1

R.S.A. CONFERENCE

PLANNED IMMIGRATION APPROVED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 24. Mr A. L. Hunt, chairman of the Dominion Settlement Association, speaking at the R.S.A. Conference, said it was apparent that the impotence of the Imperial Conference on the subject of migration was a catastrophe, and that petty party politics was the cause. The Returned Soldiers’ Association had, according to its annual report, consistently advocated immigration under a planned scheme or schemes. The conference after a brief discussion reaffirmed its support of renewed immigration, rejecting a remit from a Waimarino branch—“ That the Government be urged to delay any consideration of immigration until all unemployed returned men are reabsorbed into industry or otherwise adequately provided for.” Mr W. E. Leadley (Christchurch) moved the reaffirmation of the resolution of a previous conference—“ That the first line of defence for New Zealand should be increased population, and a scheme of planned immigration from Great Britain should be inaugurated as soon as possible.” Mr R. A. Cheyne (Apiti) said that, although migration had been ignored by the Imperial Conference, the Prime Minister had said that immigration would be recommenced as soon as the unemployment problem had been solved. Increased population would give work to some of those unable to find work now.

Tho following motions on the employment and re-establishment of returned soldiers were carried by the conference to-day:—“ That this council again urges the Government to make more provision for the employment of exservicemen in the Government services; in a large number of appointments made in the various Government departments during the\ last _l2 months due regard has not been given to the Government’s declared policy that preference of employment should be given to returned soldiers, other things being equal, as stated in the Prime Minister’s letter of July 29, 1936.”

lleaffirmation of the opinion expressed by previous conferences of the Nety Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association that Anzac Day should be observed on no other date than April 25 ■was made. It was noted with strong disapproval that some recent awards contained provisions that when Anzac Day fell on a Sunday the following Monday should be a aid holiday. Dominion headquarters we e asked to exercise special vigilance concerning any proposals to vary Anzac Day. The conference rejected the proposal of the Dominion Executive that in order to expedite the hearing of war pension appeals the Minister in charge of w’ar pensions be recommended to setup a permanent appeal board consisting of a Supreme Court judge and two medical officers, one representing the Government and the other the Returned Soldiers’ Association. LAND SETTLEMENT POLICY. Subjects affecting ex-soldier farmers were discussed to-3ay at the annual conference of tho New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, and the following resolution was adopted:— “ That the time has arrived when the association should define its policy for returned soldier land settlement, having regard to the varied conditions affecting individual returned soldiers repatriated on the land; that tho Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act should result in a general adjustment upon a uniform basis of the capital and liabilities of settlers, but that the problem of soldier settlement will commence only there. This conference recommends that a special Lands Settlement Committee be set up to report to the Dominion Executive upon a definite Returned Soldiers’ Association land settlement policy, the report to be submitted to individual associations for consideration, and thereafter to be submitted to the next Dominion Council, so that a definite policy can be adopted by the association.” It was further resolved—“ That the benefit of the comparatively cheaper interest rates enjoyed by ex-servicemen under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act when it first came into operation be continued under the State Advances Corporation administration, and in the estimation of lease rentals under that Act.” Another resolution was—“ That the budget system under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act be discontinued, and that headquarters submit a request to the Minister of Lands.”