SALUTING THE FLAG

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24685, 14 August 1941, Page 6

SALUTING THE FLAG

COMMENT BY MR CARR STRONG RESENTMENT •1 ‘ r RETURNED SOLDIERS’ VIEW •v. - ■* •• ./ • ’ . (P.A.) . ’ WELLINGTON/-Aug vl3. . Reference .. to the recent . discussion in Parliament pn’ L saluting the flag, was made at a meeting of the Dominion Executive Committee of the ? New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association to-day. and Jthe following resolution was adopted That the, dominion Executive Committee of the New Zealand Returned Soldieri’ Association.strongly resents the remarks of Mr C. L. Carr, M.P., in . the House on August 8. as reported! in the press, as follows:—“I know some . people are dependent on iritual observances, and ■ that people with fairly primitive minds want tfo salute the flag, and go through' ’someinumbo jumbp. The teachers!are people who have read widely and studied deeply, and have got away from kindergarten methods of thinking and acting;.and it is pretty f hard to expect them to bow down! before a totem pole. If Mr Carii is correctly reported, the Dominion Executive Committee regards his Words as a direct insult to the flag itself and to all those who salute it! proudly and reverently on the proper It was decided to send copies of the resolution to tpe Ac, ting Prime Minis-, ter, Mr W. Najsh, and'to, Mr 'Garr. * Military Defaulters ! . The Government’s policy‘ regarding defaulters was considered by the association, add -the following statement was issued:— * . t;’ ; “While appreciating the endeavour of the Government to handle a most difficult and important problem, the association -deeires an assurance . that the regulations to implement the proposals outlined by the Acting: Prime Minister on JAugust 8 will contain provisions toj ensure thta defaulters besides being! detained in carilps. are —(a) given ftseful work to" do without pay, (b)j detained for the duration of Ihe war. and (c) deprived of their civil rights during their detention and for Eo years following the conclusion of, the war. It is considered by the executive that some provision should be made for the dependents of those concerned. Representation along these lines has been made, and the Government has been urged to expedite the gazetting of the regulations in order that the appropriate action may be taken without further delay.” .w'

Compulsory War Loan;;

The committee received advice'from Mr Nash that the Government does .not propose to epforce contributions to-the compulsory jwar loan from any members of the | overseas forces, irrespective of wherther or not appeals have been lodged. “In some cases,” the Minister’s' 'letter stated, “default notices may; have been issued to nonsubscribers <who are serving overseas, but when’ the true position is ascertained no further action will be taken.” It was decided to send congratulatory messages 'tqi Brigadier E. -Puttick on his appointment as Chief of the General Stall, and to Sergeant Pilot J. A. Ward, who {was recently awarded the Victoria Capss. Pleasure [was expressed at a report that Mr NJash had agreed to discuss with the association’s representatives the Rehabilitation Bill before its presentation to* Parliament. It was stated that’the association desired to ensure that the provisions would at least be [equal to the facilities after the last ww. . ■». % >

It was reported that land settlement for discharged soldiers was a subject of ? close co-operation with Government officials. Attention in this respect had been givew to the question *f adequate provision for stock. !