EX-SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 15 June 1927, Page 9

EX-SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS.

REMITS DISCUSSED

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, June 15. The R.S.A. Conference carried the following remits after little discussion: Asking for a statement from the Minister of Lands as to the possibility of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act being reopened for housing purposes at an early date • reaffirming the policy of the association for subdivision. of suitable areas of Crown lands when present leases are terminated; protesting against the proposal of a section of farmers that preference to returned soldiers at land ballots he removed ; that when a soldier is unable to pay both principal and interest in full, but can pay interest, he may, at the discretion - of the land board, lie allowed the usual rebate on interest. Special recommendations were adopted regarding Ngaroma and Kaihere soldier .settlements. It was recommended that South African veterans he given the same privileges under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlemetn Act as returned soldiers from the Great War. It was resolved, as regards housing, that as repayment are made they be earmarked for loans for housing to soldiers who did not avail themselves of the privileges when the scheme was in force. The Government is to he urged to make provision for disabled returned soldier “wingies” by providing work as lift attendants, nightwatchmen, or messengers in Government departments. It was resolved that- the scheme of economic pensioners having to report weekly at the Labour Department be discontinued, and that- strong representation be made to the Government for the problem of employed disabled soldiers to be investigated thoroughly by the Department of" Scientific Research, with a view to utilising as much as possible of the present productive material which, hv the creation of a. roll of unemployed, is being quietly laid aside at the cost of some thousands of pounds per annum. The problem of unemployment of unfit also includes civilians, and a scheme for the employment of .such men could he extended to embrace those persons injured in industrial pursuits.