SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25456, 10 February 1944, Page 7

SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT

NORTH OTAGO LAND PURCHASED R.S.A. NOT APPROACHED At the monthly meeting of the Oamaru Returned Services’ Association on Tuesday night, the vice-president (Mr N. H. Colquhoun), who was in the chair, made critical reference to the purchase of land in North Otago by the Government for the purposes of soldier settlement, without the knowledge of the R.S.A. or the Rehabilitation Committee. He moved, and it was agreed, that the Minister of Health. Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, be requested to notify the association and the Rehabilitation Committee of any land that might be acquired for settlement. Then, said Mr Colquhoun, the association could offer valuable advice regarding methods of settlement, subdivision, etc. There were present at the meeting Messrs N. H. Colquhoun (in the chair), <J. S. Dodds, J. Mayfield, J. F. Ericson, H. C. Lightwood, D. Devon, J. G. Cook, D. Barr, A. T. McMurtrie, J. Tavendale, J. T. Adams, and E. H. Taylor. Clubrooms It was announced by the chairman that the National Patriotic Council had no objection to the North Otago Patriotic Committee launching an appeal for R.S.A. clubrooms, in conjunction with the All Purposes Appeal. The Ardgowan Patriotic Committee wrote stating that it unanimously supported the establishment of clubrooms for the Oamaru Association. Miss Rita Millar wrote stating that she would be happy to hold an entertainment in the Opera House to raise funds for the clubrooms.—The Ardgowan Committee and Miss Millar were heartily thanked for their support, and it was decided to take full advantage of Miss Millar's offer at some future date.

A deputation from the Woollen Mills’ Social Committee was received, and on behalf of the committee Mr R. Rae said that they would be willing either to make a donation to the building fund, or. alternatively, to organise a dance to raise funds. The committee's dances had in the past been successful, said Mr Rae, and probably quite a substantial amount could be raised. Mr Colquhoun thanked tile deputation for its support, and said that a small committee from the R.S.A. would meet the Woollen Mills Committee, and discuss the matter. Heritage Movement

The secretary (Mr A. C. Piper) reported the receipt of a letter from the Dunedin R.S.A. regarding the Heritage movement, which aimed to care for the children of servicemen who had lost their lives in the present war. The sponsors of the movement would take the place of the children’s fathers to the best of their ability. The movement was a worthy one and the Dunedin Association was heartily in support of it, and expressed the hope that the Oamaru Association would be similarly interested.—The chairman intimated that a meeting would shortly be held in Oamaru concerning the scheme, and he had no doubt that it would receive full support. General The secretary said that he had written to the general secretary of the R.S.A. at Wellington concerning the lack of a branch of the Air Department at Oamaru. There were no officers to advise or assist air personnel either coming or going on leave. He had asked if it would be possible to appoint, the R.S.A. to act in this capacity in Oamaru. He had also written to the Oamaru Red Cross Society, and had been informed that the society had not at any time received notice of sick or wounded airmen arriving at or passing through Oamaru. —The secretary read the reply which had been received from Wellington, stating that there was no liaison with the Air Force regarding movements, and the matter would be taken up with the Air Department, with a view to obtaining the same privileges for all branches throughout New Zealand. The secretary reported that a South African veteran residing at Oamaru desired some information regarding war pensions. He had been in receipt of a war pension of £3 5s lid per month since 1902, and it had remained at that figure ever since, notwithstanding the 25 per cent, increase in pensions. The secretary said lie had referred the matter to'R.S.A. headquarters, and had received a reply stating that South African veterans were eligible under the War Pensions Act, 1943. This was valuable information, the secretary said, as many veterans were members of the R.S.A.

The Boy Scouts' Association wrote concerning the present shortage of Scoutmasters in the Dominion. There were 18,000 Scouts in the country, and provided that more Scoutmasters were forthcoming the ranks of the movement could be considerably swelled. There would be many suitable Scoutmasters among returning men, and the Returned Services’ Associations were asked to co-operate in this campaign.—The chairman voiced the members’ opinion that the Scc-uts’ Association could be assured of full support. Seventeen new members were elected, two from the Ist N.Z.E.F. and fifteen from the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Nine transfers were approved. , „ , Messrs Colquhoun and Taylor volunteered for hospital visiting during the month.