R.S.A. EXECUTIVE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19350, 10 December 1924, Page 8

R.S.A. EXECUTIVE.

The final monthly meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association for the present year was held in the club’s rooms last evening, Mr Eric Anderson presiding. The Secretary reported that there- were three new members for the month; four transfers had been granted; four resignations had been received; and two deaths had occurred.

The Secretary reported that Mr I. W. Raymond, who was president of the War Contingent Association in London during the war, had recently been in Dunedin, but owing to the shortness of his stay it had not been possible to arrange a meeting.—lt was decided to write to Mr Raymond and state that a meeting would be arranged when he next visited Dunedin. The Secretary reported that the president (Mr J. M'Crae) and himself had attended the post-sessional meeting held by the Otago Expansion League last month.—lt was decided to thank the league for the invitation, and to intimate an intention of joining the league. The New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association wrote enclosing a cheque for £44 Is Sd, being a refund of the amount overpaid by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers.’ Association on account of the re-allocation over overhead expenses.—lt was decided that the amount etand over for next year’s effort. The City Council wrote stating that the association's request to have the whole of the rates on its building refunded could not be acceded to, but the council had decided to make a grant of £25, as was done last year. —lt was decided to thank the council. A letter was received from Sir Francis Bell in reference to the petition signed by Mr M. B. Scannell and others praying "or the resumption of operations under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act. He stated that the report of the Petitions Committee had been considered by Cabinet, and it was regretted that no action could be taken at present in the direction of resuming operations under the Act. As previously advised, the Lands and Survey Department accepted appliations from T. 8., or badly disabled men for assistance towards the erection of dwellings, and with the funds at the disposal of the Government it was not possible to accept any additional applications.—Mr Paterson moved that the association express its regret that Cabinet had seen fit to take .no action in regard to the petitions presented, and that a copy of the letter be sent to all associations. —The motion was carried.—On the motion of Mr F. S. Anderson it was decided to press f or an assurance from the Prime Minister that the advances would be resumed as soon as the financial position' permitted, —The matter of transfers of loans was discussed at length, and it was eventually decided to ask headquarters to take steps to have all transfers to civilians stopped, except such as were made in accordance with the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act. The Secretary formally reported that at a meeting with the Minister of Lands (the Hon A. D. M'Leod), a promise was made by the Minister that the Wilden Estate would be subdivided. This had subsequently been confirmed by the Minister to a deputa-. tion at Tapanui.—The Minister's decision was noted with pleasure, and the secretary was instructed to communicate with him regarding preference to discharged soldiers at the ballot. The Secretary reported that Bowlers Day was being held on the Dunedin Green on Saturday, December 20. —Noted. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chairman expressed the season’s greetings to the secretary and his staff. He stated that the Dunedin Association had come though the year most successfully, and there was nothing to stop it continuing in the same way next year. He wished them all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and moved a hearty vote of thanks to the press.—The motion was carried.