RETURNED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21492, 16 May 1933, Page 12

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ASSOCIATION AND POLITICS "MISTAKEN IDEA ABROAD" "There seems to bo a mistaken idea abroad that the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association intends to take immediate political action to expedite the passing of measures requiring legislative action," said Mr. E. H. Sutherland, president of the association, yesterday. "To clarify the position of the association in this respect, it would be well if I stressed the point that such a step would be entirely contrary to the constitution as at present framed, and the Auckland association, as represented by its executive, does not intend to depart in any way from that which is constitutional.

"The remit referring to political action, which was passed by an overwhelming majority at tho 'last annual mooting of tho association, will bo dealt with by tho delegates to tho annual conference, which will be held shortly in Wellington. Until the purport of the remit receives majority support at that conference, the association remains strictly non-party political. "It has been stated that representatives from this association have been sent to Christchurch with reference to this matter, but I desire to state officially that is contrary to fact, as no person or persons have been authorised by this association to act for it. However, as I have stated before when replying to Sir George Richardson, tho question whether the association shall or shall not take a definite part in party politics is for the returned soldiers themselves to decide at tho next or at some future annual conference." WAIKATO ASSOCIATION HELPING MEN IN NEED [from our own correspondent] Hamilton, Monday In his report to tho annual meeting of the Waikato Returned Soldiers' Association to be held on Saturday evening, the president, Dr. F. D. Pinfold, states that owing to tho formation of a very keen and active sub-branch at Raglan the membership of the association had shown a substantial increase and now stood at 144. The executive felt, however, that this figure revealed considerable apathy on the part of a groat number of returned men in the district who must bo in tho position to become financial members, but were apparently oblivious of tllS work the association was doing to help men who were not in a position to holp themselves. Dr. Pinfold said the association had had more successes than failures in connection with tho pension cases it had handled. A considerable amount and attention had boon paid to the individual cases of men out of employment. Tho Poppy Day fund had been expended in direct relief by numerous small grants to individuals, while the conteen fund grants had been used in providing work chiefly with tho Borough Council. Men with dependants had been helped principally during tho stand-down week. Tho association had also superintended the giving of work to about 200 mou from funds provided by tho National War Funds Council.