SOLDIERS' INTERESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18075, 27 April 1922, Page 8

SOLDIERS' INTERESTS.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. REVIEW OF YEAR'S WORK. NEW EXECUTIVE ELECTED.

The sixth annual meeting of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association was held in the Town Hall concert chamber last evening, the president, Mr. E. W. Inder, presiding over a fair attendance. Tho annual report stated that at Marcn 31 the membership was 4086, and although this was a very considerable decline in figures compared with the previous year, it had to be borne in mind that owing to the financial position of the Dominion many members had not been in a position to renew their subscriptions. At the same time it wag to be regretted that many of the members who had been in a position to renew their subscriptions had not recognised their obligations. Nevertheless the work of the association had been carried on for the benefit of all returned soldiers and their dependants. The work of the Government Repatriation Department had been carried out faithfully and well during the year and the association had always received a most sympathetic hearing from members of tho local District Board. Every case brought under its notice had been thoroughly gone into and the interest of the soldier had been their first consideration. It had been announced that the benefits- under the Repatriation Act would be withdrawn after Juno 30 next, and all returned soldiers desiring assistance under the Act were advised to make application to the district repatriation office before that date. The thanks of the association were due to the members of the board who had gratuitously given their services for the repatriation of returned soldiers

The Ministerial Veto. The association had compiled a list of all those who had been recommended by local land boards for assistance under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, but whose applications had not received the approval of the Minister for Lands. These numbered about 80, and tho association wa3 pressing the claims of the men. In many cases great hardship had been experienced as deposits had been paid, timber placed on the ground, and dwellings started, As the result of the association's representations a nui ber of cases had been adjusted. The Prime Minister had given an assurance that so soon as the financial position of the Dominion improved the operations of the Act would again come into force. One of the Hardest problems facing the association was that of unemployment, and the association had a list containing the names of some 600 returned soldiers who were out of work. The position had been represented to the Mayor and the acting-chairman of the Harbour Board, both of whom had supplied figures showing the works they .had in hand and

contemplated, which in several instances were undertaken in an endeavour to relieve the unemployment question. Both bodies had been able to show that returned soldiers had received every consideration at their hands. Many cases had come under the notico of the association of Imperial ex-soldiers having come to this country through representations having been made to them that work was plentiful in the Dominion, and the executive believed that steps h~A now been taken by the Government to see that the true position was placed before intending immigrants.

Privileges for Disabled. Dealing with the question of disabled soldiers, the report - stated that so far the association had been unsuccessful it) its endeavours to secure tramway passes for these men, but all information regarding what had been done in other centres had been collected, and with this additional material to support the claims, it was honed that such efforts would shortly be rewarded with success. The Government had granted free railway passes to double amputees to and from employment inly, but the association was making further representations for further con.■essions for men whose means oi locomotion was affected. The association, recognising the unfairness of the taxing oi

pensions as unearned income, was pressing the Government with a view to having this iniquitous anomaly removed. The association had launched a pension campaiiro, and as a result the Government, had consented to set up a commission for the purpose of inquiry into the regrading of schedule, rc-examjnation and re-class-im? of temporary pensioners, and an increase of pensions. The commission bad not yet been set up, but the Dominion executive was preparing data. It was stated thai, in spite of the .fact of the reduced membership, the association was in a sound financial position, the balance of assets over liabilities being £90\8 15s 7d. Xho report and balance sheet were adonted. The election of officers resulted: —President, Mr. E. W. Inder; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. C. A. Sexton, A. L. Nugent. and A. Carr; hon. treasurer, Mr. A. A. Donald; hon. solicitors, Messrs. Inder and Metcalfe i auditor, Mr. W. S. Cooper; executive committee, Messrs. C vS. Hamlen, J- A. Lee, R. H. Greville.

E. F. Andrews, W. W. Averill, V. T. Dibble, L. J. Garmson, T. S. Miller, vV. Potter, J. S. Reid, C. S. Reid, and F G. Young; delegates to district council. Messrs. T. Long, A. C. A. Sexton, F. Young, E. F. Andrews, and T. S. Miller On the motion of Mr. E. F. Andrews, it was decided to hold a treneral meeting of the association at Devonport on Mav ?5. Mr. Andrews explained Chat t!he membership had showed siras of falling off, and his idea was that by holding meetings from time to time in tho various suburbs they would arouse interest in the association.