RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CONFERENCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 June 1936, Page 8

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CONFERENCE.

PROBLEMS POR DISCUSSION. CARING POR COMRADES. Approximately one hundred delegates from Returned Soldiers ’ As.sociations in nil parts of New Zealand met iu Wellington yesterday for the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, which will last for two or three days. Ninetythree remits on matters affecting tho welfare of returned soldiers, especially those suffering from war disabilities,, are to be considered by the conference, and committees were set uir to report on the recommendations made by the branch associations or. war pensions and treatment, canteen and war funds, land settlement, Anzae Day, rc-establishment of returned soldiers, employment, and other matters^ The Dominion President (the Hon, W. Perry, M.L.C.) is presiding at tho conference, and welcomed delegates when they met. He then introduced tho Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), who declared the conference open and wished delegates a successful meeting. Mr Hislop said the conference was. the fifth he had attended and tho majority of those present hud been.there before. Although they looked a little older, they looked just as cheerful, active, and determined to 'carry on. The future of the association wasassured in their hands. Mr Hislop referred to the absence of "their loved, revered, and valued chief, Sir Andrew Russell.” He referred to the work Sir Andrew had done for the association and said that he was glad that Sir Andrew’s mantle had fallen on the Hon. W. Perry. Practically from the beginning of the association Mr Perry had worked unselfishly and vigorously for the cause, and there was no one more worthy of the office of Dominion President. (Applause). The position of the returned soldier had been improved during the-year,, Mr Hislop continued, and he referred to the Veterans’ Allowances Act anti amendments to the Pensions Act. There were still anomalies and work for them to do to improve the position still further. Public support had increased, more money being forthcoming for Poppy Day funds. While they had that continued support they could go forward with confidence to advance the cause they all had at heart.

MEMBERSHIP INCREASES. Mr W. E. Leadley (Christchurch)' moved the adoption of the annual report and congratulated the executive on the work of the association during the year. The membership of the association had grown during the last nine years, and it was becoming more and more a body worth belonging to. The Rev. J. M. Stewart, (South. Canterbury) seconded the motion, and also congratulated the executive on the progress made during the year. The Dominion vice-President (Mr. B. ■I. Jacobs, Palmerston North', discussed land matters and reviewed tbcrecent changes that have been made in the administration of State Advances. He read a report of a deputat3on to the Minister of Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) and the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) when the attitude of the Government wasoutlined by the Minister. The adoption of the report was held over to enable a committee to report on the Veterans’ Home at Auckland. Committees were then set up to consider the remits sent in by branches, and are meeting this afternoon.