EX-SERVICEMEN’S AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 13 June 1928, Page 7

EX-SERVICEMEN’S AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF DOMINION COUNCIL. RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT. I II V TKI.FORAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 WELLINGTON, June 12. The '<t. ,nn<vl meeting' of the Domimiom council of the 1 R.S.A. opened to-day, Sir Andrew Russell presiding. The report, in deal nig with .the membership, notes that it is once more on the increase, and things seem, to be moving as they should do. Interest of ex-service men in the organisation has increased and • then the membership total :has also increased. It Is now eight per cent, over last year. Regret was expressed that the Government failed to amend the Pensions Act in regard to widows and wives of disabled soldiers.

The difficulties facing the council in regard to. efforts to find employment for members .were referred to. Approximately £32,000 was spent for relief of unemployed during the past year, but when it was .realised that £27,000 o.f this actually provided work for nearly .1000 ex-servicemen for periods ranging from two to seven months, it would bo seen that the work of .the association was of material assistance to the general public, as well as to ex-servicemen. The above amount did not include money collected by many local associations from various efforts, such ns concerts, etc.