RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17635, 27 May 1919, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE GOVEEHMENT CRITICISED. (Pμ Ujtotd Pwws Assogutioh.) ' CHRISTOHURCH, May 26. The anneal conference of tho Now Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was ■' ' opened to-day, Dr Boxer (Hastings) presid- ■;."■ ing. About 60 delegates were present. They were welcomed by the Mayor. The annual report contains severe criticism of the Government for its hasty legislation last session. The executive, says tho report, has consistently urged upon the Government and the peoplo generally the imperative need for providing at the earliest possible date machinery for repatriation. The Government created a Department of Repatriation with greater regard for political considera- ; taon than efficient administration. A re- i patriation policy had not been enunciated because the Government has none to put forward, and any constructiv.© suggestions made have- come chiefly from the associa- : faoa and representative Repatriation Committees. After dealing with the cost of living, partioalarly as affects the ex-soldier, report refers to his future. A radical remodelling of oar social system, it says, is imperative, and -for a long , period to como industrial unrest is likely to bo such as both to threaten tho whole economic, basis of society and to create uncomfortable conditions of those whose positions in the social organism are not relatively -we'll paid and secure. It was to be regretted that tho Government had given no indication that they realised the position. The problem of repatriation would reach a critical stage in a *ew mojths, but, so far as preparations by those responsible were concerned, tho : indications wero that it would be sheer good ■■ luck if there were not serious trouble. With regard to land settlement, insufficient data were available to judge of tho success or otherwise of the scheme of settling soldiers. _ "Certain features of administration of the Land Department," saya the report "call for severe comment. The demand for land by returned soldiers is no casual one to be satisfied through the ordinary channels of land exchange." : jjp l9 president, in moving the adoption of tt» report, said that the qualities which ■ had distinguished the New Zealand Force ■would new have to be applied in civil matters. The great question of 1919 was the Repatriation Act, brought down, in iDecember. This was carried in a rough- ■-. and-tumble scramble, and was an absolute abortion. The exigencies of tho situation, ; however, made necessary a measure of support by tho association with tho right of criticism reserved. The Government had had three years' experience in repatriating men, and at the end of 1918 had done practically nothing in that direction. That was the Government's own condemnation. The association did not see why the Government should sacrifice efficiency to political belief. Hβ hoped to see a single . Minister responsible for the repatriation, with tho co-ordination of the whole scheme in his own person. It waa not until the armistice had forced its hands thai the Government pushed through the December, 1918, scheme. Patriotic boards had been doing , the work for three years, when the Government Bought, as it would do, to speed up tho 'moneys into its own coffers. It should have it made clear that such was not its right, seeing that these bodies had been doing the Government's works. _ Whenever the Government found a private body ready to carry on its work it washed its hands of the work and said "Carry on." The presidonb urged the engagement of a well-paid eecretary. Hβ urged steon<r support of Quick March, the association's official organ. The association's'representation on the various bodies was extremely good, but ho hoped to see the day when every Land Board in New Zealand •would have a member of the association thereon. He urged looal support of local associations, and a greater interest in matters affecting soldiers' ' interests. Mr Batten (Wellington), in seconding the adoption of the report, said it was a matter for congratulatian thai the association had never heckled or embarrassed the Government. He urged the need for greater pub.licity regarding the work of the association, not only through Quick March, but through other papers. Mr Andrews (Auckland) 'said the report ■was disappointing. Everything the' previous conference had instructed the executive to do ttiey had tried to carry out, but had met with great difficulties. The Government had not done ita duty regarding retrospective allowances. The association had a great task ahead, and if it could not get justice during the next year it would never get it. Mr MaxjManus (Dunedin) said he regretted that nothing had: been said about the creation of new industries or the expansion of old industries. The Government policy had been one of inaction. Repatriation could not ignore industries. In the matter of land there was an urgent need for direct representation, for land had been purchased at fictitious values based on war 'profits. It was possible that soldiers would make a living while prices were high, but when prices came down, soldiers might be faced with ruination. Mr Miller (Taieri) said the Government *iad alienated the sympathy of the country, and nad done absolutely nothing for the returned soldiers. Commission agents should be cut out from dealings with land for Te- • turned soldiers. Mr Leadley (Christehureh) said the.Christchurch Association had initiated a proposal to settle soldiers at poultry farming in Canterbury, but it had been turned down. II there had been one Minister in charge of repatriation the matter could have been dealt with more expeditiously. Mr Leadley remarked that the Government concessions , Tegardmg retrospective allowances had been extracted by threats, and if justice could not be got otherwise, he believed in using - threats and backing them up. Determina- , tion was needed in fighting the Government. Mr Brown (Wangaaui) said it was the second mortgage which presented the main dilncuity to returned men. Mr Laycock (Pahnerston North) said the newspapers seemed to delight in givinsr publicity to returned soldiers' offences There was a tremendous gamble. going on I with regard to land values ■ Mr Luxford (Waikato) said that the land ' boards, and not the repatriation boards i were domg the work of repatriation. The 1 position in regard to pensions was abso- ■ lutely wrong. He suggested the appointment of an exclusive organising secretary , : in addition to the general secretary Mr Dalhousie (Auckland) regretted that. I so little had been accomplished by the ex- | ecutive, but the fault lay 'with Parliament Mr Jacobs (Palmerston North) said there had been too little constructive criticism ' Returned soldiers were almost as much to blame as the Government, for even at this day the association had no" definite proposals to put to the department. He advocated the compulsory acquisition of land for soldiers. Mr Long (Auckland) regretted the failure of the report to mention the nursing sisters and urged the association to take up their case. He condemned the departmental heads for obstruction in repatriating, and said the Public Service Commissioner had declared that girls were- so satisfactory as clerks that there was little possibility of returned soldiers getting positions in the public service. Mr Pridham (Wanganui) said the publio revenue must not be got from soldiers but - from the stay at homes.' r ' Mr Reid (Blenheim) deprecated criticism of the executive, declaring , that probably most district associations wanted clearing out.. ° Mr Seymour (general secretary) in replying to criticism respecting the lateness of the report, said the Marton branch had made no .returns whatever during the year and its delegates were therefore not eligible to vote. At a later stage an explanation was offered by tho Marton delegates who were permitted to remain. Mr Harper (Wellington) said tho executive welcomed constructive criticism. It nad done a huge amount of work, and after all the association must depend on tho general public for assistance, and the work of tiie executive in influencing- public opinion could not be overestimated. He denied the allegation of the Woikato delegate who said one soldier's pension had been stopped on the report of a policeman It wis the, duty of the Waifatto branch to haTo ported the matter promptly, but ho had telegraphed for Ml information. Refer, ring to the Wellington deputation on™tr£spective allowances, Mr Harper said that Sir James Allen had left the room before Mr Fox made hie statement, and tho credit for the altered attitude was duS to Mi Chnkard's suggestion that. justice should[be done to married men before gratuities were considered. Mr Moiling (Auckland) replied that Mr Chnkatd had admitted thai Mr Fox's threat had the day He urged that vocational taumag should bo taken out of the hands ofMrW. H. Montgomery and placed under tho Repatriation Board, where Mr Montgomery might got a much more useful post. Mr Stringer (Wtdkato) said tho association was up against •dor, need for direct representation on land boards. The motion to adopt the report was carried, and tho conference proceeded to appoint eoawmiteae.

On the election of tho Laud Committee there was a protest that only ono South Island member was nominated. The committee- was therefore enlarged to give more, oven representation.