R.S.A. Conference

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 149, 25 June 1937, Page 6

R.S.A. Conference

Soldiers on the Land DISTRIBUTION OF WAR FUNDS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Objects affecting ex-soldier farmers re re discussed by the annual conferflnce of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers 1 Association. The following resolution was adopted: ‘ 1 That the time has arrived when the association should define a policy for returned soldier land settlement, having regard to the varied conditions affecting the individual returned soldiers repatriated on land and | that as the Mortgagors and Lesses Rehabilitation Act should result in a general adjustment upon a uniform basis of the capital and liabilities of the settlers, though the problem of soldier settlement will only commence there, this conference recommends that r special land settlement committee be set up to report to the Dominion executive upon a definito Returned Soldiers' Association land settlement policy to be submitted to individual associations for consideration, thereafter to be submitted to the next Dominion council so that a definite policy can be adopted by the association.'' It was further resolved “that the benefit of comparatively cheaper interest rates enjoyed by ex-servicemen under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, when it first came into operation, be continued under the State Advances Corporation Administration and in the estimation of lease rentals under that Act." Another resolution was. ‘ ‘That the budget system under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act be discontinued and that headquarters submit a request to the Minister of Lands.” The following motions on the employment and re-establishment of returned soldiers were carried by the conference: That this council again urge the Government to make more provision for the employment of ex-servicemen in the Government services. In a large number of appointments made in various Government departments daring the last 12 months due regard has not been given to the Government's declared policy that preference of employment shall be given to returned soldiers, other things being equal, as stated in the Prime Minister's letter of July, 20, 1936." “That this council strongly urge the Government that returned soldiers who also are in receipt of veterans' allowances and who receive sustenance, bo required to report to the Labour bureau m<jpthly instead of weekly." The conference considered the immigration policy and, after a brief discussion, re affirmed its support of renewed immigration, rejecting a remit from the Waimarino branch, “that the Government be urg?d to delay any consideration of immigration until all unemployed returned men aro re absorbed into industry or otherwise adequately provided for." slr. W. E. Leadley (Christchurch) moved the re affirmation of a resolution of a previous conference, “that the Grst line of defence for New Zealand should be an increased population an£ a scheme of planned immigration from Britain should be inaugurated as soon as possible." jd r. R. A. Chepno (Apiti) said that, although migration had been igifctred by the Imperial Conference, the Prime Minister had said that immigration would re-commence as soon as the unemployment problem had been solved. An increased population would give work to some of those unable to find wqrk now. The conference agreed to support the principle of special consideration to civil servants and annuitants whose retirement took place before tho completion of 40 years' service, owing to war service cases to bo dealt with on their merits. JThe Canteen Funds Trust Board is to be asked to grant not less than £12,000 during the present year for assistance. A large number of partially* disabled men are still dependent on benevolent funds to supplement their j income. The council resolved, when instructing its representatives on the War Funds Investigation Committee, to obtain permission if possible from the committee after it reached tentative decisions and before such conclusions are implemented, to report to all associations and submit such tentative decisions for their comment as a guide to the New Zealand R.S.A. representatives on the committee. In the event of this permission not being obtained, representatives are to be instructed to make an interim report to all associa--1 tions to obtain their views. The conference rejected a proposal of the Dominion executive that in order to expedite the hearing of war pension appeals the Minister in charge of war pensions be recommended to set up a permanent appeal board consisting of a Supreme Court Judge and two medical officers, one representing the Government and tho other the R.S.A. NO CHANGE IN ANZAC DAY CONFERENCE DETERMINED. fer Fress Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Reaffirmation of the opinion expressed by previous conferences of tho New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association that Anzac Day be observed on no other date than April 25 was made at the association’s conference to-night. It waajnQted with strong disapproval that some recent awards contained provisions that, when Anzac Day fell on a Sunday, the following Monday be a paid holiday. Dominion headquarter* was asked to exercise special vigilance concerning any proposals to vary Anzac Day,