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New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10847, 12 March 1921, Page 7

The main object of the establishment of the Returned Soldiers’ Associations throughout the Dominion was the assistance of the disabled and incapacitated men. Expressions of grateful appreciation of the work of the organisation from these unfortunates are not infrequent. The. local association has just received from a mental patient ■for whom it was able to secure financial support, a letter from which the following extract is taken:—“l wish to express my sincere thanks to you for interesting yourselves on our behalf. I have secured the increase in pension due to us, which without the kind efforts of your association the Government would never, have granted. It is now a relief to know that there is someone to look after the interests of the men who are unablo t.o help themselves.” * It is the intention of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association to-bring before the notice of the Prime Minister the large number of instances in which members of the Expeditionary Force deserted’the division in England after the signing of the Armistice, and, remaining in England, have abandoned their dependents in New Zealand and left them unprovided for. Numbers of such cases have been brought to the notice of the secretary of the local association. He expressed the opinion yesterday, on behalf of the association, that the State should he responsible for the maintenance of these dependents, and that every endeavourshould be made to locate the men and have them returned to their homes. Mr George Bunting, Australasian manager for the Canadian Government Merchant Marine, will arrive at Wellington on Monday from Australia by the steamer Canadian Highlander.