2363 Second N.Z.E.F. Men Join R.S.A.

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1942, Page 3

2363 Second N.Z.E.F. Men Join R.S.A.

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. At a recent meeting of the Dominion Executive Committee of the N.Z.R.S.A., it was reported that the membership of the association at November 30 disclosed an increase of 2811, of whom 1342 were returned men of the present war. The total number of men of the Second N.Z.E.F. who had joined the association now stands at 2363. By recent amendments to the Social Security and Pensions Emergency Regulations, 1942, the Government removed certain anomalies and adopted recommendations which have been the subject of decisions of the annual Dominion council‘of the association, and the committee expressed gratification at the Government’s action. Dissatisfaction was expressed, however, that the Government stipulates that a pensioner must have been in receipt of ICO per cent, disability pension before his widow or any dependent children can, at the discretion of the War Pensions Board, receive a dependent’s pension. The N.ZR.S.A. considers that this privilege should apply to those war pensioners who had received 60 per cent, disability pension or over. Imperial Ex-Servicemen In pre-war days the N.Z.R.S.A. received from the British Empire Service League a percentage of the proceeds of sales of poppies on shins at sea on Armistice Day. This money .was credited to a special trust fund for the benefit of Imperial ex-servicemen and their dependents. Since the outbreak of war only one grant lias been received from this source, but, through the courtesy of the Minister for Internal Affairs, grants from time to time Rave been made to this trust fund from art union profits. At a recent meeting of the Dominion committee it was reported that a further sum of £250 had been received from the Minister and set aside for the relief of Imperial ex-servicemen and their dependents.