RETURNED SOLDIER’S CONDUCT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9812, 8 November 1917, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIER’S CONDUCT

APPEALS AGAINST EXPULSION. An extraordinary general meeting of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night at the Returned Soldiers’ Club, Air J. D. Harper occupying the chair. Among those present were Messrs T. Bohlson and D. Seymour, local and general secretaries of the Returned Soldiers’ Associatiqn. Tho business in hand was the bearing before the meeting of Mr M. Bryant’s appeal against his expulsion from the association for certain reasons. A discussion arose as to whether the proceedings should be open to the press. All- Bryant signified his willingness for an open hearing, and a vote taken approved this course. - - . The charges against Bryant were as follow: —“That he had made lying statement* to the committee in connection with a certain financial transaction, by stating that money of his had been given to a certain party as an interest-bearing loan, and not as a, sum merely to be held in safe custody.” Further, “that he sold pamphlets publicly on the street, the same being derogatory to the interests of the association.” Thirdly, “that he was convicted of drunkenness.” In making his statement, Bryant commenced to read a very lengthy written statement, in ’ which he stated that he had last April lost his property in a fire, and had been obliged to appeal for clothing to the War Relief Association. The statement rambled into many irrelevant matters, which led to the chairman suggesting that Bryant reply specifically to the charges made. In reply to tlje first charge, Bryant denied that he made a false statement. Tho chairman: “Did you or did you not sell pamphlets in the street?” Bryant; “Well, why not?” The charge of conviction for drunkenness was admitted. He stated, however, that it was subsequent to his expulsion. Considerable, and at times heated discussion arose on the subject of the charges, several members considering that, the pamphlet not being of an improper nature, could not fairly be made a ground for expulsion. In the matter of drunkenness, another .• member suggested that this class of offence was too common for any particular member to ho penalised. The gentleman with whom.the financial transaction took .place gave lengthy evidence, which was followed by a further written statement concerning Bryant’s movements since his return, stating that ho had received £9O back pay on discharge, and was awarded a pension of 10s per week. Although he was offered work, and did! get employment, he had borrowed money and contracted tradesmen’s debts. A member gave evidence that Biyanl had sold pamphlets as a returned soldier’s pamphlet and spent the money in drink. In summarising tho case, Air D. Seymour, the association’s general secretary, remarked that the evidence on tho matter of the monetary transactions tv as fairly conclusive against Bryant. As to the charge of insobriety, a court decision should not be necessarily conclusive against accused, but considered on its merits, and in addition to other evidence. In regard to pamphlet selling in the streets, no one would question the right of any person to sell these, though ho personally considered this action unworthy of a returned soldier. By postering people whilst drunk, this man had set the public against returned soldiers, and whilst technically selling pamphlets, he was, in fact, cadging, and they must let the public know that tho association was against that sort of thing. A motion was put before tho meeting that tho committee reconsider Bryant s case, which was negatived on a vote being taken • and a further resolution upholding the committee’s decision to cancel Bryant’s membership was carried. The chairman remarked, that abundant time had been taken in discussing the foregoing matter, and suggested that the dismission of pensions and allowances, which scheme the association intend to ask the Government to make retrospective, he postponed. It was decided that an extraordinary general meeting be held to discuss these matters in three weeks’ time.