RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19249, 13 August 1924, Page 8

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

meeting:- of executive.

'Elio usual meeting of the executive o. the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held yesterday evening, the following being present :—Messrs J. M’Grea (chairman), A. M'Hutchon, P. Harre, 11. H. Walker. H. L. Paterson. C. Mason, W. F. Forrester, G. Massey. P. S. Anderson. E. J. Anderson, and the secretary (Mr A. C. Laingj. The Finance Committee reported that it had recommended two now members for admission. One transfer outwards had been approved, one resignation received, and one death.—The report was adopted, members standing in silence cut of respect for their late deceased member, Mr E. A. Borrow The Concert Committee reported that it had decided to go on with die arrangements for the holding of the proposed concert. There would, he thought, be no difficulty in getting the assistance of the members of the choir, and they would fall in with any arrangements which the committee might make. There was a difficulty in getting the theatre on a suitable dale. A committee had been set up to arrange the programme. The prices of admission were fixed at 2s 6d and Is.—The report was adopted. The Lands Committee reported that a letter had been submitted from Mr J. Spain, from Galloway, regarding transfers. The committee decided to advise Mr Spain that no general policy could be advocated with regard to .such transfers as he mentioned, but that this association would use its influence in any specific cases of transfers whore a returned soldier stood to gam an advantage.—The chairman said the complaint of Mr Spain had reference to oases whore soldiers had got Jnnd from the Gov eminent and had decided t# give it up. Mr Spain’s idea was that such a man should be compelled to transfer to a’soldier. The Lands Committee had _ decided that no specific or general policy could bo Ifud down. It was a matter of dealing with each application on its merits.—The committee’s action was approved. With regard to the Housing Committee which had been set up at" a public meeting held in the Town Hall recently he thought it wise that the Returned Soldiers’ Association should bo represented.—lt was decided that Mr E. J. Anderson continue to act as the association’s representative. With regard to the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act the Lands Committee reported that there were no further development*. A petition had been forwarded and presented to Parliament. It was gratifying to note that the Oamaru association advertised on similar lines to this association, and as a result advised that 28 men there wished loans. The Oamaru association ©ndorsed this association’s action. The Secretary reported that he had received a telegram from Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., stating that the petition bearing 123 signatures had been presented to Parliament and had been referred to the M. to Z. Committee. He would wire the association when that committee was in a position to deal with it so that arrangements could _ be made to send a representative to Wellington to give evidence if it were thought desirable. He had also seen the clerk of the committee with a view to facilitating dealing with the petition.—’The report was . adopted. The Secretary road a reply which he had forwarded to the Minister of Lands (the Hon. A. D. M‘Leod), with reference to his statement that the Returned Soldiers’ Association did not represent the general opinion of soldiers on the land question. The Chairman said Mr M'Lood’s statement vrm hardly worthy of a Cabinet Minister. The Secretary’s action was approved. The Lands Committee recommended that the Teviot settlers’ request for owes, the complaint regarding the ploughing of pasture, and the request for chaff bo referred to the Minister. With regard to the charge for shearing the committee recommended that no action be taken, and the committee also recommended that no action be taken in the matter of the complaint in regard to the building grant. Action hod already been taken with regard to the speedy completion of the revaluation results,—The report was adopted. The Lands Committee reported having considered the schedules furnished with regard to pastoral leases, and was making inquiries with regard to the suitability of anv of them for subdivision.—Received. With regard to the housing question the Chairman thought they should carry the matter a little further. _ They should write to other associations pointing out what the Dunedin association had done in the matter of again securing all the facilities of the D.S.S. Aot. He thought there Should be concerted action. Section 2of the Act had been closed down and he thought they should use everv effort to make it operative again.—Mr Paterson thought it might be desirable to hold a public meeting in Dunedin. —The Chairman considered it might be a good idea to ask for the co-operation of the Dunedin City Council, the Otago Harbour Board, and the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. —It was decided that the secretary write to Mr J. W. Munro ; M.P., urging the Government to give an immediate reply to the question on the subject which be (Mr Monro) had placed on the Order Paper. On the motion of Mr P. S. Anderson it was decided to congratulate the Lands Committee on the excellent work it had done in connection with the D.S.S. Act and other matters.

With regard to several club requirements, which included repairs to the building, these were referred to the Finance Committee with power to act. It was decided to hold the next quarterly meeting of the association on Thursday, August 21.