RETURNED SERVICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25187, 30 March 1943, Page 4

RETURNED SERVICES

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The fortnightly meeting of the executive Df the Dunedin Returned Services’ Association was held last night and was attended by the president (Mr S. G. Scoular), Messrs J. B. Stewart, C. R. McLean, W. H. Thomson, W. K. Cameron, H P. Jefcoate, A. Duncan, W. F. Forrester, W. E. Earnshaw, C. F. Hedge, A. McHutchon. Rehabilitation It was decided to write to the Dominion Council expressing disappointment at the failure of the Government to state its land policy, and requesting the council to make immediate representations to Cabinet stressing the urgency for it to declare its lana policy in respect to rehabilitation It was further agreed to ask the Dominion Council to advise- all associations whether Cabinet had, or had not, accepted the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association’s scheme for land settlement. Free Travel Warrants The general secretary of the New Zealand Association wrote forwarding a circular from the Navy Department, which advised that as from January 7 last naval personnel proceeding on leave would, as necessary, be issued with warrants entitling them to travel free by rail, road, or steamer. Release of Youths from Camp Mr Stewart brought up the question oi the release of youths under 20 years of age from camp, and expressed the opinion that release should be granted not by voluntary application, but mandatorny. subject to appeal by the youths or their parents to the Man-power Committee or an appeal board. It was felt, Mr Stewart said, that in view of a suggestion that youths under 20 might not be called up until they were 21 years of age the period under that age was more suitable both psychologically and mentally for education and training in nrofessions and trades. The association should urge that the Government’s policy should be reversed along the lines he had suggested as it was felt that for various reasons the youths would not make voluntary applications, with the result that in many cases they would drift into “ dead-end .employment. The meeting endorsed Mr Stewart s statement, and passed a motion embodyit*; nrooosal. A p opy of the motion will be forwarded to t !l e * D °that cil, which will be asked to emphasise that the views expressed are being ward in furtherance of the associations desire to assist in the training and re habilitation of these young men.