DIRECT ACTION URGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26215, 27 July 1946, Page 8

DIRECT ACTION URGED

ACCOMMODATION FOR SERVICEMEN

USE OF EVACUEES’ CAMP (P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 2d Direct action by the Auckland Returned Services' Association to prevent forcibly the Auckland Hockey Association from demolishing buildings and appointments at Campe Oranje, Remuera, was urged by the association’s quarterly meeting of members last night. A resolution to this effect, which was carried unanimously, emphasised the distressing conditions under which returned men and their wives were'at present living.

“ Ex-servicemen do not want pity —they just want their rights as citizens who fought for their country’s freedom,’ 1 said the president, Mr A. P. Postlewaite. “ They want those rights, even if it means action which may not be constitutional, but which will prevent first-rate accommodation being demolished while returned men and their families are living under intolerable conditions.”

Mr T. R. Mcllroy said the camp, which had been used by Dutch refugees, would accommodate about 400 returned men and their wives. The Hockey Association appeared to want the buildings demolished to allow it to use the ground for play once more. Most returned men were themselves sportsmen, but with conditions as bad as they were to-day, sport should take second place to the need to care for returned men.

Mr Postlewaite said the Trades Council had already been approached. Letters had been sent to the Hockey Association and to the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser. The stage was Set for direct action, and something would have to be done within the coming week, or it might be too late. The meeting then carried the motion urging direct action, there being no dissentients.