RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17630, 21 May 1919, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

MEKONG OF EXEOI/I'lViS.

The ordinary meeting- of the executive of the Dujjedin Returned Soldiers' AssociatiOQ "v-as held last niglit; present—iLiouton-fmt-oolonel J, EL Moir (in the chair), Gip tarn R. P Jones, Messrs C. R. Murray, Wi W,- H. Wood, a L. Calvert, J. H. M iSiish, K N. Stewart, J. E. Mac Manns, P- C. R. M'Lean, and G. M. Smith isecrotary). Ilia following transfers were approved: Messrs J. E. Willcocks and J. B. Austin, to Auckland; T. Kinf;, to Christchurch; J. JA. Stapleton, to Invcreargill; C. W. Webber, to TSmaru; J. Little, to Clulha; J. B. Couper, to Taieri; J. H. CalcJer, to Hastings; J. D. Dicker, to Nelson; W. R. Robson, from Invercargill; and W. D. Calvert, from Hamilton. One hundred and sixty-nin© new members admitted. Messrs MacManus and Calvert and Mr G. M. Smith (secretary) were appointed delegates to the annual conference of associations to be held at Christchurch, commencing on Monday next. Dr Harrison and Captain Jones were nominated as proxies, the association being entitled to live delegates. porjcnoAi activities. Mr Calvert asked for an instruction as to the attitude to b© taken by delegates in fegard to political activity on the part of tho association.

Mr MacManus said ho understood that it was not proposed that the association should enter the political arena, but that it should support certain aims in connection with matters like repatriation, etc., and should formulate certain questions on such matters b, e addressed to parliamentary candidates. Tho Chairman said that remits would be to tho conference from Auckland, Wanganui,_ and Oamaru asking that tho Word "political" should be substituted for "non-political" in that portion of the constitution dealing with the aims of the asso elation. Christchurch was forwarding a remit _ asking _ that the association should give its official support to approved returned _ soldier candidates for election to hon-political boards, councils, or associations. Mr Glarko did not favour the entry of tho association into the political field, and expressed the opinion that the remits favouring such a coni'so would be turned down by the conference.

Mr' M'Lean: They . should bo turned down. As soon as w© start to meddle in politics we shall lose tho support of many members.

The Chairman.: Wo _ shall be split up if we take part in politics. Mr-McLean said that the carrying of the remits by the conference would open the door_ to the entry of the association into politics, and political feeling- would be engendered between members. He moved that the delegates should be instructed to vote_ against the introduction of the word "political," in place of "non-political," into the constitution i of the association. . Mr M'Nish seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent. PENSIONS. Tho Waikato Association -wrote enclosing a resolution passed at its annual meeting, and forwarded as a remit to tho conference of associations, inviting associations to cooperate in urging on tho Government a substantial increase in the present scale of pensions for totally disabled men. The motion recommended a complete revision of tho whole previous list, so that pensions should be more in keeping with the -war services, disability, and need, and also that tho minimum pension should be £3 15a per week in the case of totally disabled men. The Dnnedin Association's support was asked at the forthcoming conference. It was decided to give the delegates a freo hand in dealing with this and other matters which come before the conference. ALLOWANCES. Dealing with the subject of allowances, Mr M'Lean said that, according to the new Soldiers' Guide, any soldier who went away before January, 1917, was not entitled to an allowance for the period prior to that date. This practically meant that allowances were not payable to volunteers. Moreover, the separation allowances for such men were not. payable for the period they spent in camp, nor were they to receive anything for their children during- such period. This was most urgent. Balloted men received these allowances from the date they went into camp, but volunteers only from the date of embarkation. He thought the association should express its opinion in no uncertain way regarding retrospective allowances and financial assistance. The Minister should bo urged to make the allowances date from tho beginning of service. There might be difficulties, but justice should be done. Mr M'Nish said that exception should be taken to the noise made by the newspapers about the "liberal-" way in which early men were being treated in the matter of allowances.- Sir James Allen had informed the deputation that waited upon him that the provisions in the Soldiers' Guide would bo interpreted in a liberal spirit, but the speaker thought that this was merely the Minister's way of dodging the issue. Volunteers were not getting half as much as the balloted men received, and it was an insult to those who went away in the early stages of the "war than this should be so, Mr -Smith pointed out thai a volunteer could apnly for an allowance, but could get nothing in respect of liabilities contracted before January, 1917. ( Tho Chairman said that the allowances should cover tho whole period of service. Mr Smith further said that the separation allowances were not granted to officers above the rank of lieutenant, and he had received complaints from returned senipr officers on this score.

Mr M'Leaa mcrred—"That Sir James Allen be informed that this association is quite dissatisfied with the decisions of the Government in regard to retrospective allowances and financial assistance, and demands that all allowances, both in respect of wives and children, be paid in hill from the time th® soldier entered camp, and that all soldiers who entered camp in Aujrust, 1914-, or since, be an opportunity of applying for financial assistance, a.nH have their applications considered on the samoi basis aa others received since the introduction of the scheme. Xt was further considered that! these allowances should apply to officers and men of all ranis." The motion, was seconded by Mr Stewart and earned. ' OBCHAED PIiOPERTIES. A letter was received from the Otago Fruit-growers Association pointing out that, with regard to orchard properties sold in Otago to a returned soldier who intended taking advantage of the Government advances to soldiers, he had to deposit a valuation fee, and the department sent, not as one would expect, the Government expert in the district,- but the Crown lands ranger, to report on the property, which appeared to fca an unheard-of practice In a specsal matter such as fruit orchards! the (Jrown lands ranger could not possibly possess the necessary qualifications for the purpose. It was thought that whatever wav the report '(vent, and whether the loan was granted or refused, the soldier -was not getting a fair deal Mr MacManus moved—"That the Fruitgrowers Association be. thanked for its acvice, and the Land Board be urged to obtain a report from the Government exP er *s, 39 to „ th © quality of the fruit, and a certificate that all frxut farms on offer be free from, disease before th© land "vainer ia authorised to make a valuation." Mr Stewart seconded the motion, which was canned. j

GENERA!. Eulogistic remarks were made concerning those who worked to mate th-a recent smoke concert on Anzao Day a success, and a motion of thanks was passed to Messrs Wood _ and _ Clark in particular for their work in _ this connection, and also in the general interests of tho Association.

Discussion of the proposed land bureau for soldiers was held over until after the conference. •

With reference to land matters wncraßv a sub-committee appointed to consider tfie fl J u , r<^ ommenc |cd that the executive should hold a conference with the Crown lianas Commissioner, and with anv members of the association settled on the land who were available during Show Week — lno recommendation was adopted. An offer of free membership of the Otago J!** Circle for one year for returned eoldiers undertaking poultry-keeping was accepts wrth thanss and it wi decided to inform members of the offer. i J 1 - 0 Commissioner wrote acknowledging two remittances of £4 3s 4d towards the Prisoners of War Fund. S The Peace Celebrations Committee asked what number of seats the association desired reserved ,or the concerts on the Wednesday on +%I 10 TI y ' 2 nd . tho meeting ° n t s° .Jhwsday during Peace Week.—lt was decided to ask for 250 seats Accounts amounting to £52 lbs Id were parsed for payment. The ordinary general meeting of the association will be held on Monday next at