SOUTH TARANAKI R.S.A.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 June 1924, Page 5

SOUTH TARANAKI R.S.A.

QUARTERLY MEETING. ADDRESS BY MR. BURDEKIN. An interesting address, on the business done at the recent Dominion Conference of the R..S.A. was delivered at the Soldiers’ Club last night by Mr. 11. B. Bnrdekin. Mr. Cameron, president of the branch, was in the chair. Mr. Bnrdekin said that the number of delegates at the conference was limited, and consequently the business was put through in a comparatively -short time. He said that probably tbe energies of the association bad been more concerned this past year with the legislation governing the revaluation of soldiers’ farms than with anything else. It was unfortunate, however, that the conference -was held at a time when very little was known as to the actual results of the revaluing committee’s work, as in the case of Taranaki the visiting committee had not yet completed its work. Nevertheless, there were a few cases near Christchurch on which the findings of the hoard were available, but that was the only concrete information which the conference had,to work on. However, they knew that in some dase.s the board bad not put the boys on a proper footing, and consequently a good deal of the conference's time was devoted to the formulating of some scheme whereby they could appeal against the hoard's decisions. Continuing, Mr. Bnrdekin said they found that in many cases the fault rested with the.boys in that they had not- presented their case to the committee in the best light to securethose advantages which they probably would have secured had they stated their case better. In other cases tbe fault lay with the committee in failing to grasp just what the boys put before them. In almost every case of British justice there was the right of appeal, and consequently the conference had endeavoured to formulate l some plan which would give effect to that right of appeal. The first remit carried was as follows; “That the Government be reminded that they promised returned soldiers who had financed themselves on land that they would receive assistance. (where the valuation warranted it) under the State Advances Act. Owing to lack of funds, or other reasons, this has not been carried out, and we therefore urge the Government to give all such .soldiers preference, under the State Advances Act.” This, said Mr. Bnrdekin, really referred to loans to soldiers to build houses. The department had been practically unoperative for some time now, and the Government had set their faces against buying houses already in existence. Also there were a number of houses in almost every fair-sized town where boys had walked out, and the result’ was that the Land Board did not feei disposed to grant loans to build houses in these areas. However, there were a number of cases where boys would be justified in receiving those loans. Consequently the conference’s committee had received instructions .to urge tbe Government to set aside all capital repayments on the loans already in existence, and put the money again in circulation in tbe form of fresh loans. Also tbe committee was instructed to request that where a soldier was not in receipt of an income of £4OO per annum his application be entertained under the State Advances Act, which would give him up to 95 per cent, to build a house. In. addition, the Government would be asked to give preference to those boys who could fulfil the requirements. The next remit- passed was as follows : “That in all cases where the land revaluation board has granted or postponement or remissions of rent- or interest, deductions from milk cheques during the period from July I, 1921, be credited after payment- of interest on current account to payment of future current interest or rent as the ease may be.” The position was that from July 1, 1921, the Land Board had been making their deductions on interest- .and rent on tho, basis of the existing arrangements under which the soldier settlers were working. As the Dominion Revaluation Board had power to grant reductions or postponements of rent or interest from the soldier’s debt, tbe association was asking that where the postponements or remissions were granted that the moneys that have been paid since July 1 should be applied in payment of interest on current account or rent that will be falling due in tbe future under their amended valuation. Tbe third remit' carried was as follows: “That preference be given to discharged .soldiers (whether already settled on the land or not) as against civilians in the letting of grazing rights over, or the leasing of Crown lands acquired for discharged soldier settlement and not- taken up. or iand which has been taken up by discharged soldiers, but has reverted to the Crown.” The next remit carried read: “That bearing in mind tbe large . demand .which ..still exists for pastoral runs, anti the fact that- no great number of such have been offered for selection, tbe N.Z.R.S.A. urge the Government- to subdivide all Crown pastoral leases as they fall due. and if declared .suitable for subdivision offer same for ballot to landless discharged soldiers.” Mr. Bnrdekin said there were largo areas of good pastoral land becoming available in this manner, and what the association wanted was that soldiers should be given preference so that they could go on to land that is directlv reprodin table. Another important- remit carried was: “That the conference -urges the Government to impress upon the Dominion Revaluation Board tbe vital necessity of- taking into consideration when making their decisions any improvements effected on the- land by the soldiers’ Own labour, or by money not advanced by the Government-, and to this end always to make verv exhaustive enquiries as to the condition of the laud at the time- it was taken up by the soldier.” ' Mr. Burdekin pointed out that there was not adequate information, on the form which the applicants had to fill in, and consequently a number of the men had not made it clear to tbe valuing committee that certain improvements had not been provided by Government money. Another remit affected soldiers on small holdings in certain parts where they wished to build glass-houses for tbe growing of tomatoes. One man who had had tbe money to erect bis own glass-house had paid for it in one year out of the increased profits which he was able to make by its use. The association was asking the Government to make advances to these men for this purpose. A further important remit was along the lines of a request to the Government to give an assurance that tbe decisions of tbe Dominion Revaluation Board -should be not less liberal than those recommended by the- district-

committees. If a - committee recommended that a certain thing should be •lone, tbe association did not want the board to do less than was recommended. With regard to unemployment, the following remit was carried: “That the attention of the Government be again drawn to the fact that there are. a large, number of disabled soldiers capable of filling positions as clerks, liftmen, caretakers, messengers, crossingkeepers, etc., who'are unemployed, and that a .special endeavour be made by the Government to place all these men in suitable employment-, having regard in each case to tbe man’s physical 'condition and his attainments.” With reference to T.B. soldiers a remit had been carried recommending thao m each individaul case' the expert medical advice of those in whose care the soldier had been should lie secured, with a view to opening up more suitable avenues of fight employment. Another remit affecting the T.B sol diers instructed the standing ‘subcommittee to obtain the opinions of three medical experts, including Dr. Marshall McDonald and Dr. Eardly Fenwick, as to the advisability of paying two months’ pension after discharge. Speaking of immigration, Mr. BurtleKin said the Association had framed its policy first or all on a white New Zealand, and secondly on the contention that immigration must he along the lines of national defence. the Singapore base gone, if ever there was a country isolated it was New Zealand, they only wanted immigrants who would work, hut on the other hand we m New Zealand must- see that there were openings available for them. Economic pensions were mentioned, iMi. Burdekin stating that the oT>inion had been expressed at the conference that the economic pension in its present tonn was a- failure. The only method of overcoming the difficulty was that of establishing local committees of the ■ l ,e Gie local repatriation committees. who would endeavour to find, work'" lor the applicants and make recommendations to the W ar Pensions Board as to what economic pension should be granted. In cases of attributabilitv tlie conieience had asked that- in every case the .soldier shoud be allowed to havean advocate with him before the War Tensions Board. With regard to the Poppy Dav funds, hitherto these moneys could be onlv used for the relief of unemployment, hut now the funds could be used for the relief of .unemployment and distress. Speaking with regard to the strength ot the various R.S.A. branches, Mr. Liudekm deplored the lack of interest taken by many in matters that were tea ly vital to their wellbeing. He appealed to all present to act as missionaries and bring in new members so hat file Association should, remain strong. Too much attention had been given to the social, side of their operations and he referred to a former meeting of the -South Taranaki branch, when just about all they discussed was the price of billiards,and..the R.S.A. hall In conclusion, Mr. Burdekin stated tiiat the canteen funds were being closely guarded. ' There was £163 000 boonno . £un . d ’ invested as follows; m inscribed stock at 6 per cent.. £50,000 in inscribed stock at 5i per cent. £25,000 with the Southland Board at 5) per cent., and m/. 6 ln T P er .'cent. Treasury bonds, this meant that in four years the fund would have reached £200.000. Ihe chairman, in replvin°* to -one statement made by Mr. Burdekin said he did not think that at the last meeting so much time was devoted to. discussing the social side of the branch’s activities as Mr. Burdekin would have them believe. There were other matters dealt with as well

Mr Burdekin pointed out, however, that they did not get the attendance at the quarterly meetings that they should.

Referring to Mr. Eurdekin’s address the chairman said that that gentleman could always be relied upon to give an instructive account of the work done at the- conference and be bad much pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker.—Carried with acclamation.