RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1930, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CLUB

ADDRESS BY AIR W. E

LEADLEY

At tlie Returned Soldiers’ Club last

opening a \ery interesting address u-as given by Air W. E. Leader, of liie Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Club oil the amis and objects of the lieturned Soldiers’ 'Association. ’'Jhe meeting was held in the social room, and was presided over by Air I>. Jr It vans (President), who extended a cordial welcome to 'their visitor, who had been a member of the Alain Body and who since his discharge had worked very actively in the interests of the Soldiers’ Alovement.

Air Leadley who spoke for upwards oi an hour, expressed pleasure at being with them and congratulated the local Club on the possession of such a line hall, where they had such conveniences for good work in the • inteiests of those of their comrades needing help. Air Leadley said that following the Great War there was a rush on the part of the men to form a very strong organisation, and they were very successful in that respect, the strength of the Association rising to over 65,000 men. Much good work was done and great consideration wus shown the soldiers, the public hacking np the movement wholeheartedly, They had several fine gentlemen a.t the head, including General Bussell, Mr "W. Perry, of Wellington, Air Dave Smith, now Air Justice Smith (who was personally responsible for the details of the War Pensions Act), and Air I 1 air, now Soloeitor-General. Such good work was done, that when it was accomplished interest waved, and the Association lost membership. It dropped to 6000, hut those in the organisation tuck manfully to their task of looking after their comrades, and with stringent times there was the need of more to be done for the exservicemen, and interest in the work of the Association revived. Its membership was now over 10,000 and was increasing, and he was glad to find the Hokitika Branch was growing substantially.

ATr Leadley went on to speak of the Rehabilitation Commission’s report, brought about in the first instance at the request of the Returned Soldiers’ Association to Air Wilford when Min* ister of Defence. The Commission’s report was most valuable,, and the next cask was to secure its adoption by tlifc Government To do that they needed members behind them. The report would be considered at the annual conference of the Association at Wellington this month, and with every Branch represented they could present an influential deputation to the Prime Alin* ister. The report-, made several valuable suggestions. It attacked the regulations made under the War Pensions Act, which in the instances quoted were unfair in many cases to wives, widows and children. .It proposed to revive the principle of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, and also that of the Repatriation Act, both of which had been dormant for several years. These acts were essential for the betterment of, the men out of work or seeking lighter avenues of employment because of war disabilities. Th,e Commission also proposed an employment league for returned men, and great good would come of such a proposal on the lines made. In several other ways it was proposed to direct special .effort to uplift comrades who by war injuries or subsequent breaking down, or uncongenial or inadequate employment were up against it, and in several instances the men and the families were suffering. The Commission indicated hat there were about 5000 such, men just about or under “the bread and butter line,” and if their lot could be improved what value it would be to their comrades.

Reference was made to the operations of the War Pensions Act, and the benefit of the establishment of the \ppeal Board. The agitation of the Association had been responsible for the creation of the Appeal Board. Last year in Canterbury out of 93 vases refused help by the War Pendons Board were reheard by the Apocal Board, and in 77 instances pensions were granted, in some cases recoveries of back pay over a considerible period being obtained. "Without their organisation all this good work was impossible. This year they had raised a record sum-by the sale of popoies, and were instrumental in.finding work for 120 soldiers. On representations being made, in* addition to the local body subsidy, the Government were also subsidising the poppy money, so that £1 raised by the sale of poppies represented £3 for work for unemployed soldiers.

In speaking of comradeship, Mr Leadley referred to the sacrifices made at the. front and went on to refer to instances where some of their best cobbers had fallen on evil days since the war. Some of tlie bravest and best of their rank and file were in want in some of the cities, and it was their duty to do what they could to help them to better conditions. In this connection. Mr Leadley spoke very movingly of the obligations cast upon them, and urged one and all to help.' Wliat the Association was doing was all embracing for ex-service-men. It applied equally to the returned soldier, to the South African veterans, and to the ex-Tmporial soldier (of whom there were 10,000 in New Zealand). They were lighting for equal terms for all men, whatever part of the Empire they came from. In that connection, a reference was made !n the more advanced legislation for