HELP FOR SERVICEMEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 73, 23 February 1945, Page 2

HELP FOR SERVICEMEN

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

“Parents must stand by their own families in the Armed Forces and also the families of others to see that our returned men get everything that is due to them. We must stand together now because tomorrow will bo too late.’” Thus stated Mr E. A. Ellis, in an address in the Little Theatre, last evening, when it was decided to form a Security of Services and Parents’ Association in Palmerston North.

Mr Ellis said he was not criticising the Government, political parties, or Government departments, but by the formation of the association justice could be obtained for the servicemen. He was of the opinion that everyone had to assist the men. If all would assist other mothers’ sons then the association would accomplish something by seeing that the promises made to tTic men were carried out. The speaker recalled that the late Mr Massey, after the last war, said that the returned soldiers would not want, but they did ’ want, and the same thing might occur again if the people were not careful. Mr Ellis also dealt with the casualties suffered by the Dominion in comparison with Canada, South Africa and Australia, and spoke of the number of Victoria Crosses awarded for bravery, stating that the New Zealanders had done a great job. He criticised the manner in which Government department hindered a returned man when he was attempting to purchase a dwelling. Touching on the rates of interest for loans, the speaker said 4g per cent, was too high; the money should he lent at 2 per cent., the same as was charged the Housing Department. Mr Ellis dealt with the rates of pay received by the soldiers, stating that for a dangerous job the men received only 7s 6d a day, while civil scr-. vants got salary increases and politicians had increased theirs. Ho thought there should be no distinction between tho men who went to the Pacific and these who served in the Middle East. He was pleased to see the stand taken by the R.S.A. over the appointment of the Red Cross Joint Commissioner in the Middle East. Concluding, ho said that the men had fought to make the world safe for Democracy and thcreforo they should receive all that was promised them What occurred after the last war should not bo repeated.

Mr J. If. Sim, a returned soldier from the Middle East, spoke of the feelings of the men in regard to what the people of the Dominion were doing to help them. He said the men returning from the war wanted sincerity, and he considered they were not asking for much. Men who returned in the first furlough draft were disgusted to find some men in New Zealand who wore tit hiding behind an essential industry. He was of the opinion that the men returning after long service from the Middle East should be allowed to return to their former employment and not bo sent from one position to another by the manpower authoriites. If the men who wore away knew they had the sincerity and backing of the people at home they would know their efforts were being rewarded. Rev J. Hubbard presided, and the motion that an association bo formed was carried unanimously.