VISIT TO OAMARU

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26957, 17 December 1948, Page 3

VISIT TO OAMARU

SIR HOWARD KIPPENBERGER Sir Howard Kippenberger, Dominion president of the New Zealand RSA, has been on a visit to Oamaru as the guest of Mr J. T. Burrows, rector of the Waitaki Boys’ High School. He attended the monthly meeting of the Oamaru RSA executive on Tuesday night, when he was given a cordial welcome by Mr I. T. Catto, the local president. ■ Sir Howard discussed informally several questions of interest to returned servicemen, and, in referring to Anzac Day, said this day had been fixed for the Sunday nearest April 25 for the commemoration of the men who had died for New Zealand and the British Commonwealth In all wars. This, he considered, was very satisfactory, and in line with the opinion of most of the RSA branches. He added that he was in no sense opposed to Alamein Day for World War K, but he felt that Anzac Day should be the day of remembrance. In Napier, for example. Alamein Day was observed as marking the turning of the tide, and was a day of rejoicing and pride, not affecting Anzac Day in any way. He felt strongly that Anzac Day should be kept as the first day on which New Zealand troops represented New Zealand as a nation. Rehabilitation priorities for housing were discussed, and Sir Howard expressed surprise that priorities should be given for three years overseas or four years’ home service, as service could not be assessed by length of time. He recommended that an individual case quoted should be submitted again to the authorities for reconsideration. Sir Howard also touched on RSA clubrooms and expressed the opinion, after seeing 30 to 40, that the successful ones were those in which the womenfolk were brought into the club activities. Clubrooms should be a place to which returned men would be glad to take their wives and lady friends to take part in social functions, some of which the womenfolk could organise.

The question of sustenance allowance to prisoners of war was also discussed, and after hearing the arguments supporting the request, Sir Howard advised the executive to take the matter up and submit its views to the Dominion Executive Council. Afterwards Sir Howard Kippenberger and members of the executive were the guests of Mr Catto at a social hour, at which the customary season’s greetings were exchanged.