R.S.A. Activities

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 28, 5 November 1941, Page 5

R.S.A. Activities

The Returned Soldllerß' Assoeia-

/ ' tlon is a Dominion-wide organisation and includes in its ranks men of allahades of religious and political vtews, men in all walks of life, and for these reasons takes no sides in creed or politics. Its main objective is to conserve the interest and rights of ex-servicemeh, and to secure for them a proper place in the community. It never has nor will it ever maHe a request that iB not reasonable and just, and it is only right to say that when the justice of the claim has been established, no request to the powers that be, has ever been refused.

The Association welcomes to its ranks all ex-servicemen whq have fought under the Union Jack, irrespective of the part of the British Empire from which they came, in the ranks of the Returned Soldiers' Association are men who served with the historic regiments of the British Army, the Navy, Air Force, Nursing Service and Mercantile Marine; others served with the Australian Imperial Forces, the Canadians, South Africans, and these share equally with men of the N.Z. Expeditionary Force. The Association welcomes these ex-servicemfen to its ranks, and all stand on an equal footing. In this way the Association does its share in strengthening bonds which bind together the British Commonwealth of Nations.

The R.S.A. is a thoroughly democratic body, for it includes all ranks bound together with goodwill and comradeship, and with the desire to strengthen the Association to ca.ry

out its work. A man may, or may not, be a returned soldier; it may he that he has never required the assistance or advice of the Assoc'ation. but unfortunately there ore hundreds of members of the various services who have, and still require advice or assistance. This will be evQn more apparent in the future than it has been in the past, in view of the present conflict.

There is 110 other organisation exactly similar, or doing the same work, and in many cases the R.S.A is the only organisation interested in the particular individual. This explanation is made for it is felt that it is not generally understood who is entitled to join the Association, or what work it is doing.

From April 19.T1 to March 1943, no less than £31,130 has been distributed from the Benevolent Funds of the Association for the assistance of the less fortunate comrades and their dependents.

There are 122 members in Wellington hospitals who are visited by Association representatives pajch week, when cigarettes, tobacco or chocolates are issued. Personal needs of each patient and any messages are attended to when required and the nature of these are many and varied. Unfortunately there are 150 comrades in mental hospital in this area. These are visited fortnightly by representatives and sufficient supplies of cigarettes, tobacco and chocolate are left to enable them to receive their issue the following week. Personal needs and mssages are attended to as is done in the case of Wellington hospitals. When a soldier dies within the Association area, arrangements are made by the secretary or ins staff for his burial. If a man dies in indigent circumstances, the Association will arrange with the Sociil Security Department for the payment of his burial, and a plot in the Soldiers' Cemetery is arranged

'or if required

Ashort while ago a small band of 'etuined soldiers were gathered in the Soldiers' Cemetery around the grave of an ex-digger who had just been laid to rest. This mail had neither relatives or friends. A Wellington business man who knew the case attended and asked: "Do

you people always see these unfortunates are fittingly buried?" "Unfortunates," was the reply, "Why they are honoured guests in hallowed grounds." "Well," he remarked

' 'this work alone merits and warrants the existence of the R.S.A. The Association handles any pension claims or any other benefit claims which it may be requested to do. These claims are, if necessary, followed up to the Appeal Board, when the secretary of the Association will assist to obtain evidence, prepare the case and appear before the Appeal Board as advocate for the appeallant.