RETURNED SOLDIERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 153, 31 May 1941, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ASSOCIATION OFFICERS. (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, May 30. The officers elected at the annual Dominion conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association which concluded to-day are: President, lion. \V. Perry, M.L.C. ; vicepresident, Air B. J. Jacobs (Palmerston North); district vice-presidents, -Messrs J. W. Kendall (Auckland), \Y. H. Cannon (Wellington-Nelson-Marl-borougli), D. W. Russell (CanterhuryWestland), J. M. White (OtagoSouthland); Dominion lion, treasurer, Mr J. D. Harper (Wellington); Dominion executive committee, Messrs A. T. Duncan, A. Cowles, If. B. Burdekin, tY. E. J.eadlcy (Wellington), E. C. Hale (Otago-Southland), G. A. Hayden (Canterbury-Westland), C. I>. Bell (Wellington-Nelson-Marlborough)7 C. W. Batten (Auckland); representative on the N.Z.E.F. Canteen and Regimental Funds Trust Board, Colonel M. Ald red ; representative on the War Pensions Board, Mr J. D. Harper; representatives on the Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment League, Messrs J. 1. Goldsmith, C. W. Batten, and G. A j Hayden; representatives on the Great 1 War Funds Administrative Committee of the Joint Council of the Order ot j St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society, Messrs I*l. C. Hale and H. B. Burdekin; representative on the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr W. Horro-I bin.

The making of defence policy statements by Ministers over the radio was debated by the conference, which had Ix'fore it the following recommendation from the committee on defence, subversive propaganda, and aliens: “This Dominion council views with concern the practice of Ministers of the Crown making important defence policy statements over the radio and considers it is not proper that such statements should be made in this manner.” The recommendation was lost on the voices. Resolutions carried included the following :

“That fhis conference recommends the immediate setting-un of National Efficiency Boards (similar to those operating in the la-st war) for the protection of persons in business of any kind who have volunteered for territorial or overseas service.”

“That the R.S.A. approach 1 lie Government to obtain information ns to whether the members of the 2nd N.Z.EF. have been equipped with body armour.”

“That the Government lie requested to increase the mufti allowance of soldiers on discharge from £7 10s to £l2 125.”

“That ihc Government lie requested to extend fhe scope of file widowed mothers’ allowance to widowed mothers residing in New Zealand whose sons are serving with the Navy, the Fleet Air Arm, or the Royal Air Force.” “That all ranks of each unit of tlie2nd N.Z.E.F. when on final leave be granted a free pass on all Government railways and transport services, such pass to bo from any station to any station.”

‘■That when any member of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. returns from overseas and : s granted privilege leave the wife, mother, or next-of-kin be granted a free pass also.’’ “That representations he made to the Government to institute an N.Z.E.F. canteens service system of orders similar to the highly satisfactory order system of the Australian Canteens Service, whereby canteen orders, similar to postal notes, issued by all post offices in New Zealand would be available for the purchase of foods onlv. bv soldiers in al| New Zealand canteens whether in New Zealand or abroad.”