RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18050, 25 September 1920, Page 13

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

MEKJ.JNG OF DISTRICT COUNCIL.

IMPORTANT MAIiERS DISCUSSED.

A meeting of tho District Council of the Returned ooluiors' Association was hold last evening; preimiit—Uγ Harrison (in iho cluiirj, Messrs G. M. bmjtli and Vv. aJ. Wuou (Uuiicuiii), L. S. GnUiam and A. h. Glass (liivereargul), A. C. Lmiig (iialcluuia), T. Aimer (Mosgiel), and J. D. U'orbus (OuniariO. ivlr Giauam moved, in pursuance of notice —'"iJiat tno status of sub-associations bo changed to sub-comnjittoc-s, and that no rebate by made to these bodies."—Mr Lαing said he agreed with the motion, but ho considered that the matter of any rebate should be a matter lor arrangement between the sub-committees and their associations. He would move an amendment to that eilect—The- Chairman pointed out that it had already been decided that the rebate should bo a, matter of mutual arrangement. —Tho motion was cairied. In accordanco with notice, Mr Laing moved—'-'i'liat all members of tho Mew Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association bo considered members of the association within whoso boundaries they reside."—Mr Glasse pointed out that the individual himself wns the only person concerned, and tho motion was then passed merely as a recommendation. The Land Committee recommended that an Advisory District Land Committee bo appointed to deal with all land questions in the distr:ct, such advisory committee to have power to add to its number persons who are not necessarily returned soldiers c r members of the District Committee.—The recommendation was adopted, and the j matter of appointing a committee was lolfc to the District Committee Tlio District Sub-committee recommended that, subject to the requisite numbers being shown on tho returns for the month ended July 31, tho Otago district be divided into five groups as follows:—Oamaru, Dunedin. Taiori and Clutha, Gore, Invcrcargill.—lt it was decided to form only four groups, and that To.ieri and Clutha decide which group they shall join. PARTLY DISABLED MEN. The Secretary of the Dunedin Returned Sold;ers' Association wrote stating that it had been ascertained tnat many partly disabic men were in temporary employment, while others were following occupations not in-the best interests of tneir health. His association had passed tho following motion: '"J. hat the time has now arrived when ;he Public Works and other Government departments bo urged to consider the advisa- s j b:lity of granting permanent employment through the Repatriation Department for men who are sultering from war disability— that is to say, chest cases and seriously wounded men."—Mr Smith moved that thi's resolution bo endorsed. The Repatriation Department itself had done its best, but the Railway Department and other departments were "holding down" positions which ' could be given to these partly disabled soldiers. He considered that the Repatriation Department should bo urged to assist in securing a remedy.—Mr Woods said it was the aim of tho board to place as many of those men us possible in permanent positions, and ho felt sure the position would improve from now on. —Mr Glasso said that in Southland all the disabled men who had applied had been found positions in skilled trades. Ho wished to point out also the j Railway Department was .now taking disabled men.—Mr Smith, in reply, emphasised tho fact that there was no reflection, on the Repatriation Department in any centre, but that the Dunodin Returned Soldiers' Association wished to assist tho department in placing men in positions in the Government services. Whenever a vacancy occurred in any Government department that department should first and foremost consult the Repatriation Board. —The motion ■was endorsed, and will be forwarded to the Dominion Executive. WOOL-GROWERS , PROFITS. The Secretary of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association wrote stating that sc;no timo ago his executive had drawn the attention ot headquarters to the gift of the Imperial authorities to the New Zealand ,wool-growers of £1,6C0,0tX), and had pointed out that, as the wool-growers had entered into an agreement with the Home Government to sell their wool «it a certain figure, and had received a good price for it, this money should bo diverted to the furtherance of soldier settlement. It was suggested that if the Government would not be prepared to take a.ny action the woolgrowers themselves, if properly approached, might consent to allow the money to be diverted to this use. At the last meeting of his committee a reply was received from headquarters advising that £250,0j0 of the £1,600,000 had been given to a fund termed "The Acknowledgment of Debt to the British Navy and Mercantile Marine," and stating that in view of this the dominion executive sub-committee considered tho suggestion was one for the wool-growers themselves to. take un. As a further sum of £2,000,000 was to be given by the Homo Government, his executive considered that headquarters should take immediate action, and that' the wool-brokers should bo approached. None of the wool-growers had suffered the hardships borne by the soldier, and it was considered that it would be an act of grace for them to divert this money in the direction indicated.—Dr Harrison said these people had undoubtedly made fair profits during the war, and had our , armies not =. been victorious their position to-day would have been a very different one* —Mr Laing called attention to tho fact that many of tho wealthy farmers had sought to withdraw from their promise to the Seamen's Fund, while the smaller man had paid up.— The letter was endorsed, and it was decided to forward it to tho Dominion Council. GENERAL. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Dr Harrison.; vice-pre-sident, Mr Glasse; committee—Messrs G M. Smith, \V. H. Wood, L. S. Graham, G. M. Tfillies, A. C, Laing, T. Miller, and J., D. .Forbes; auditors, Messrs Algie and Smeaton. The present sub-coinmitteo was reappointed, with the exception of Mr Miller. Mr Glasso notified his resignation from the Dominion Executive, and Mr Smith was appointed in his placo.