RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21257, 11 February 1931, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The Executive Committee of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association met last night in the association’s clubrooms, the president (Mr J. S. Skinner) occupying the chair. MEMBERSHIP. The secretary reported that three nominations for membership had been received, and one member had been lost by death. Two resignations were being held over in the meantime. —The report was received. EARTHQUAKE RELIEF. A headquarters circular advised that, at a special meeting of the Dominion Executive, it had been decided to make a grant of £IOO towards the relief of distress caused by the earthquake in the Napier district.—The Dominion Council’s action was approved, and a motion of condolence with the bereaved was carried. It was also decided to make a _ grant of £ls 15s from the Dunedin Association. UNEMPLOYMENT The genera] secretary of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association wrote in reply to the Dunedin Association’s request that headquarters should look into the matter of the appointment of unemployment officers. He stated that the Dominion Council had decided to approach the Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobbe) again, and, as a result, had received the following letter from the Minister: —“All the bodies concerned bave submitted nominations for the various Local Advisory Committees under the Disabled Soldiers Re-establishment Act, except the Employers’ Federation, and the appointments are now receiving consideration. The question of the appointment of employment and vocational officers is receiving attention at the same time, and it is hoped that it will be possible to make an amendment in the near future.” In conclusion, the secretary’s letter stated that the Dominion Council was, anxious that the Act should be put into operation as early as possible, and headquarters would continue to keep in touch with the Minister. The letter was received. PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Mr A. Gordon asked what was the position regarding the holding of public meetings in the Queen’s Gardens. The elections were drawing near, and it was likely that meetings would be held there. He moved that the City Council should be written to asking if it would be possible to prevent meetings being held there. —Mr H. L. Paterson said he did not think the association had any right to try to prevent such meetings, but he was of the opinion that speakers should be prevented from using the steps of the memorial ns a platform.—There was some further discussion, and it wae decided not to take any action in the meantime.