Next-Of-Kin Assn. Tilts At C.Os.

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1942, Page 5

Next-Of-Kin Assn. Tilts At C.Os.

“Conscientious objectors should be deprived of their citizenship for the duration of the war and a period of not less than 10 years thereafter." This was the context of a remit which found unanimous support at a meeting of the Whangarei branch of the Next-of-Kin Association, held at Whangarei. The remit was referred to the central committee for forwarding to the department concerned, with a rider That a list of C.O.s. be gazetted and placed in conspicuous places on public buildings.

Replies to remits forwarded by the association to the Government were received.

The Minister for Housing, in answer to a remit asking that certain concessons such as reduced rental be given to returned soldiers or soldiers’ widows applying fop state houses, advised that no concessions were permissible, but consideration would be given to necessitous cases. Funds for Prisoners

Funds for prisoners of war on release came under discussion when advice was received that no specific fund for the use of released prisoners might be set up in London. It was stated that certain moneys were in the hands of the New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr Jordan) for the purpose of affording relief to stranded soldiers or New Zealand civilians in London. It was also advised that soldiers were permitted to draw on their accumulated pay on release. The meeting desired that the defence authorities should make this known to prisoners of war. To obtain further information on this question a committee was set up, comprising the president (Mr L. Cooke), the secretary (Mr H. R. Collier) and Mr Phillips. The committee will wait upon the national secretary to the patriotic fund board on the next occasion he visits Whangarei.

Postage on Parcels

A reply to a remit that postage on parcels for overseas soldiers be reduced was also received, stating that this suggestion was impracticable. It was decided to forward another remit asking that transit charges be reduced to 1/- for a 71b. parcel.

On the question of pensions to soldiers’ widows, it was decided to ask the Minister to consider further this matter, and to introduce an order-in-council to provide that a soldier’s wife could not be placed in a financially worse position on account of her husband’s death.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a social was held, supper being provided by the ladies' committee. Musical items were also given.