RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 5 August 1919, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

DECISIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION ) T WELLINGTON, Aug. 4. lhe quarterly meeting of the DoX™ sxeco5 xeco VT? of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was nS. du. nPS the week-end. OniSf tit °f management of the Quick March presented a report which was regarded as very satisfactory. The chairman (Mr Harper) also announced the resignation of Mr L. g. Fanning, associate editor, as from September \ resolution was carried expressing appreciation of Mr Fanning^ sefvices and regretting that circumstances had arisen which 111 Mr Farming's opinion ?orition. adVlßable f°r hlm *™& &B.

The following affiliations of new associations were approved: Waiuku, Tw£ V le T and A disirict > Waipawa 3' ™\- AwTX tu > Whakatane county, Waihi, and Opotiki county The president stated that MaiorGeneral Russell had agreed to the request that he should on the association s behalf inspect the soldiers' settlements in and around his district, lhe announcement was cordially received, and at the General's suggestion, an order of reference was prepared for his guidance. Following the request of the Minister ot Derence when answering represcentatives of the executive on Saturday, a detailed list of the association's requirements arising under the principle of retrospection was arranged and ordered to be forwarded to Sir James Allen.

It was resolved to ask the Government to make arrangements to exempt returned soldiers from fines in connection, with the stamp duty on land ?? a"^ n S out of the delay for which the soldier was not responsible. A letter from the Hawera Associat}oll suggesting that life members should be admitted on the payment of a subscription of £5 was referred to the next conference.

A discussion arose on the presentaction of the Defence Department in remitting fines imriosed on soldiers on active service. Strong exception was taken by the executive to the extreme leniency displayed in remitting the severe fines imposed as a result of imprisonment with hard labor, thus condoning the offences and making men eligible for admission into the Returned Soldiers' Association by virtue of the fact of such remissions, which cleared their characters. It was resolved that the Minister's attention be drawn to the fact that men were receiving large remissions of fines, and that the association recommended that regulations be tightened up considerably.

It was resolved that the Railway Department be asked to make immediate provision for the carriage of building material and stock to° soldiers' settlements.

It was decided that the executive, subject to the general principles involved, and to notifications to local associations of its views and full reasons therefor, may modify the conclusions reached by the conference if in its opinion such modifications are vitally and immediately necessary in view of new conditions having arisen.