RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17321, 22 May 1918, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

The fortnightly meeting of the committee of the Duncdin Returned Soldiers' Association was Held in the association rooms. Jjieutenant-colonel Moir occupiod the chair until arrival of the president (Dr Harrison). Sixteen returned soldiers were admitted to memljership in the association. J iio following transfers were approved: — A. R. Jones, to Hawera; R. Wilson, to Oamaru. Accounts amounting to £116 5s od were passed for payment. Mr James Gtago commissioner on the Efficiency Board, waited on the committee with reference to the settlement of returned soldiers on the land. He was of opinion that returned men were ill-advieed to take up unimproved land at the present time, and discussed at some length various questions relative to this important matter.—The Chairman thanked Mr Begg f or the trouble no nad taken, and a subcommittee was appointed to discuss the matter further with him. Sir James Allen wrote, in reply to representations by the association, stating tiiat preference of emnloyment under His department is always given to returned officers and soldiers of tho Expeditionary force provided, of course, that these aro competent to carry ou't the duties required It was decided to write to the Pensions T x to rcconsidcr its decision with regard to tho ease of a returned soldier A letter was received from Base Records stating that tho silver war badge is not to be rccognised as a military decoration, and tliat the Army Council in England had determined not to issue the badge to tho relatives or next-of-kin of deceased soldiers.