RETURNED SOLDIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17326, 28 May 1918, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ASSOCIATION 1 S CONFERENCE. (Pkb United Peeks Assooiatkml) j , AUCKLAND, May 27. Ino Returned Soldiers' Association Con- i fereuco opened in the Town Hall this morn* v. ing. The delegates were warmly weloomed *' by tho Mayor (Mr Gunson), who mentioned that Auckland had decided to contribute ' : to the regimental fund, and had already forwarded £1227 of the district quota. Major Boxer, in reply, spoke principally * on repatriation and tho dchxl for providing ' for a large body of returned men who wertt % not adapted to settle on the land. Tho Coairman said the association claimed to be tho only official voice of the returned soldiers. At present it was rather like a 1 voico crying in tho wilderness, but there « much causo for gratification in the fact that thp Government now recognised the > association as what it claimed to be. They '-? had appointed Air Harper, treasurer.of .tho — association, as a member of the Pensions .• Board, and Mr Morpeth, of Wellington, to - the Financial Assistance Board. The atti« tude of the publio was also growing moro ' favourable. It was hoped that the asso ? ciation would obtain representatives on other "; bodies, and they would probably bo aeked - to review tho contemplated legislation a£fccting returned soldiers. It was resolved that the Government be, requested to increase the mufti allowance 1 from £1 10s to £5 ss, and Ehat soldiers- i discharged be allowed to retain one uxtform.