RETURNED SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3298, 30 May 1917, Page 21

RETURNED SOLDIERS

CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. A conference of delegates of Returned Soldiers' Associations in New Zealand was opened in the Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board's Rooms, Hanover street, DunedLn, pn Friday morning. Captain Pitt, of Gisborne, president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, occupied the chair. WORDS OF WELCOME. Before the business commenced the delegates were welcomed to Dunedin. The deputation that visited thorn at tholr meeting place included the Mayor of Dunedin(Mr J. J. Clark), Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.0., Messrs C. E. Statham, M.P., A. Walker, M.P., G. Fonwick, J. Loudon, J. L. Salmond, H. E. Moller, and W. E. S. Knight. Major Hickey and Major Fleming represented the District Headquarters' Staff. The Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin. welcomed tho men to the city. Mr G. Fenwiok, president of the Cham> ber of Commerce, also extended a welcome to the delegates. The men who had fought for the Empire were entitled to the best consideration that could be given to them, and anything the people could do in return was little as compared with the sacrifices the men had made. Captain Pitt replied on behalf of the delegates, thanking the speakers for (he welcome extended to the men. At their conference they would try to do what was right. They would not ask for anything extraordinary. All they wanted was to arrive at a definite conclusion in respect to a policy for the settlement of returned soldiers, not only settlement on the land, but in business affairs. As for the public, he believed they had the publio with them already, and what they had to be careful about was that they did not alienate the svmpathy of the public. They might have to tread on somebody'.-? corns, but they would only do so for the benefit of the majority of the returned soldiers.— (Applause.) ANNUAL REPORT. The first annual report for tho year ended April 30 contained the following clauses:— The financial statement reveals a meagre revenue to headquarters, which will probably be viewed with some_ astonishment by local associations. It will be seen that the result of the Anzac picture torn has enabled the association to show a balance on the year's working. It has also enabled Us to suspend the issue of debentures which was contemplated. The thanks of the association are due to Sapper Moore-Jones for placing his pictures at our disposal, and for the amount of energy and work which he devoted to the enterprise. Tho balance sheet shows a credit balance of £144_19s Id, in which is included £196 3s sd, being net profit from the Anzac sketches tour. A separate report and statement is appended of Sapper Moore-Jones's Anzac sketches tour, which sets up that the tour was a splendid financial success; the net returns being £448 12s 2£d, Two deputations from the association have waited upon the Minister of Defence in regard to promotion in the Expeditionary Forces, and the regulations issued in April have given the returned soldier an opportunity of re-enlisting upon equal terms with a civilian who had hitherto declined. In other respects, however, while conditions have been bettered, and while the proportion of commissions available to experienced men as compared with recruits has shown some improvement, the executive is .confident that the Defence Department has by no means devised a scheme which is satisfactory to meit of seniority and experience, and hold that this will be done only when (with the exception of officers who have held Territorial and staff appointments, and who have not been permitted to leave for the front) reinforcements revert to privates' rank upon reaching the front, where they will have ample opportunity of justifying their competency for promotion as against the men who have survived over two years of war. During the year the # executive learned with considerable indignation that the authorities had reduced the pension payable to returned soldier in-patients in hospitals to a maximum of 103 per week. Strong recommendations were made to the department in this matter, and a revision of the regulations was sccm-ed by which no reduction of a pension once granted was permissible during the currency of tha term for which it was granted, and the amount of pension docked under the reduction regulation was ordered to be refunded. In regard to land, the period during which tho scheme for the settlement for returned soldiers upon land has been in operation has hardly been long enough to show conclusive results, but experience, as well as strong reason, is not wanting to indicate that tho present system cannot continue, and that some land policy must be devised which will insure a square deal for the returned soldier and a sufficiency of suitable land for all returned men who require it. Local associations are now formed in pearly every centre of importance in New Zealand, and arc in process of development. It has been the policy of the executive to promote as far as possible the internal control by the association of clubs for the use of returned soldiers, and in some instances this has been achieved, and subsequent working has proceeded < very smoothly. The executive has investigated a large number of cases submitted by local associations. Many of these cases arose through misconception on the part of one party or another, but the executive desires to stress the importance of absolutely accurate and detailed information, personally verified by the association which forwards tho report in connection with these cases. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said they had been good enough to elect him to the proud position of president. Pie felt sure, they intended to do honour to his race, their Maori brethren, a rfew of whom had gone to the front, and he thought thoy would agree that these men had proved thev wore made of the right stuff, and were white throughout.—(Applause.) The biggest question of the day was the returned soldier problem, and who was more suited to assist the "po-wors that be" in the solution of this problem than tho returned soldier, and what better method could bo evolved than forming an association such as had been done for the purpose of attaining results which would —(1) benefit the returned soldier and tho dependents of those who have fallen; (2) at the successful termination of tho war transfer oil comrades into positions that would make them jrood and successful citizens; and (3) thereby bcinefk the country r-.nd tha Empire as

a whole?—(Applause.) Tho country was rich, but it iho returned soldier problem was properly handled how much wealthier will the country be, and, of necessity, the people? Properly and sympathetically handled the future of New Zealand and the returned soldier and his descendants was assured. If not, let them look for wintry days. Tho Government had not yet been approached by tho association regarding tho appointment of a separate Minister to deal with all returned soldier problems. As president, ho heartily approved of such an appointment. There was sufficient work to keep a young and energetic Minister going at full speed all the time. It might be said that such a request was unusual, but so was this war, and the mothods obtaining; but first and foremost must be remembered the 70,000 men already called up, or tho 100,000 to bo called up shortly. They were all young and vigorous, and surely the best of their manhood and the very existence of tho countrv depended upon how thoy were going to bo treated. If care was not taken most of those young men would migrato to Canada, South Africa, or elsewhere, where inducements were more attractiyo. Ha would suggest that a definito policy with regard to tho settlement of th* returned soldier problem should be decided upon, and whatever the scheme might be let it bo put into something like concrete form, and then back it up with all their strength. Unity was strength; therefore let them be united.—(Applause.) ■ A discussion followed, lasting _a couple of hours, after which tho report and balance sheet were adopted. MOTIONS. Mr Fox (Wellington) moved: "That a Minister for Returned Soldiers' Affairs should bo appointed forthwith." He pointed out that it Was of the utmost importance that such a portfolio should be- created, as after the war we would never return to the old order of things, and there would be abundant work to engage tho attention of such a Minister.—Mr Paul (Blenheim) seconded the motion, which was carried. Tho evening session was devoted to a discussion on a motion 'brought forward by Major Raatriok (Hamilton): " That the association as a whole should take up the question of enemy aliens being allowed to follow their private occupations, while British subjects are being sent to the front and are liable to be called up for national service in New Zealand in civil capacity." He said that of the aliens in the dominion about between 80 and 90 per cent, were in the Auckland Province. He noticed that tho Auckland Farmers' Union at its recent conference had recommended that tho aliens should be conscripted. These people were being permitted to go aoout and ear/ big wages and to take up farms which' were being vacated by men called up for active service. Some of them earned from £l to 28s a day, This was not right, and these men were having tho run of the country while the young men were away fighting for King and country. The Government should be called upon to do its duty in this matter. —Mr Rothery (Auckland) said the Government gave these men their freedom, while our young men were taken away, and it was up to the association to take soma action for the protection of the boys who wero away.—Mr Haycock (Palmerston) said there Was not the' slightest shadow of a doubt that the Government was too namby-pamby in regard to this question. One thing ho _ desired to bring forward was that of an important position held at Samoa by tho son of a German. " It is," ho said, ,l a crying shame that such a position should bo given to tho son of an alien when there are any number of returned soldiers who could hold the position. When the matter was brought forward, the Government made the potty excuse that this man could spc\-k tho German language. I have spoken to (he father of this man time and again before tho war, and he was an out-and-out German. There are many positions held in Now Zealand by* Germans, and it is time this was put a stop to." — Mr Hoare (Marlborough) said he knew something of this matter. He was at Samoa at tho time of the landing, and the man in question, when his attention was directed to the fact that tho Gorman flag was flying from tho German Club, said: " It's ail right." Tha flag remained from 9 a.m. till tho afternoon, when a comrade and he pulled it down, and, strange to say, nothing was said about their action.—Major MTKillop said ho knew the officer in question, and a finer nor a better soldier would be hard to find. He was a New Zealander and a loyal Britisher —Mr Bruin (Rctorua) wanted all aliens conscripted.—Mr Harper (Wellington) defended the Samoan officer because ho knew him to be a loyal Britisher. At iho same time ho was in sympathy with the resolution, as he considered that aliens should not be allowed tho run of tho countrv while our men were away fighting.—Mr * Fox (Wellington) said this was an economic question. Theso men should bo employed at the same pay as a soldier on work on behalf of tho soldiers who were coming back. —The chairman, MiHilton (Wanganui), M 1 * Green (Christchurch), Mr Willing (Auckland). Mr Dobbie (Oamaru), and Mr M'Calhim (Christchurch) supported the motion, which was carried. Major Rastrick moved further: " That all aliens be conscripted for public service in Now Zealand, and that they be paid at Expeditionary Force pay."— Mr Bruin seconded tho motion, which was carried. This closed the conference for tho day. LAND SETTLEMENT DISCUSSED. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE EXPLAINED. The conference of delegates of tho Returned Soldiers' Association was resinned on Saturday, when several important aspects of tho proposed Government assistance to returned soldiers wero considered at length, after explanations had been given by Sir Jas. Allen (Minister of Defence). Captain Pitt (president of the association) welcomed Sir Jas. Allen to tho conference, and invited him to explain tho policy of tho Government as to tho settlement of soldiers on the land, the distribution of patriotic funds, the discharge of convalescent men, and tho appointment of a Minister to deal exclusively with returned soldiers' problems. Tho speaker urged that tho men belonging to the Main Body should be allowed to como back to their homes for a holiday, and complained that enemy aliens were allowed to follow private occupation while British subjects wero being sent to tho fiont. Sir Jas. Alien, before dealing in detail with tho questions raised, expressed his approval of the association's resolution to carry out their labours as a r.on-political body. JTe then road a communication from the Hon. Sir Francis Bell (Acting Minister of

Lands), explaining the land policy of the Government, which showed that the area of private land already purchased for discharged soldiers' settlement is 60,852 acres. The area of Crown land already set aside by proclamation for discharged soldiers i--264,396 acres. Other blocks of private land aro now under negotiation, and other areas of Crown land aro being- considered for proclamation, but the supply has been so far ond is in excess of the demand. As regards settlement, 357 returned soldiers have been settled on the land so far, and 236 have asked for and obtained Government advances to enable fencing-, purchase of stock, and other improvements. There have been practically no complaints either of suitable land not being open for choice or of their treatment by the Government in respect of advances. The present statutory limit of Government advance—namelv, £SOO, has been the subject of some comment, but obviously there must be some such limit to avoid excessive differentiation. The experience has been that a largo class of the men not seriously injured do not seek improved land of high value. As might be oxpected of the best olass of young New Zealande,rs, a. considerable pro portion of the men prefer pastoral to dairy land, and ask for land which they themselves can improve, and so increase their own capital holding. The men do not desire tuition in farming. Whether general or special, such tuition at the State farms and at technical schools is open to them free of expense, but they prefer to set to work in their own way. The plans for provision for seriously wounded pensioners include the provision of fruit farms and poultry farms near the railways and towns, where the men can occupy small areas of first-class land, together or separately, as they elect. Some such areas aro already availablo to supply any demand when itarises. Opportunity of tuition will be provided in such special areas. A further pro posal which the Government have adopted is to provide for the opening of Crown lands for discharged soldiers in districts sparsely settled with really (rood roads, the expense being far less than that of acquiring and roadhig private lands. The soldiers will thus have the opportunity, if they choose, of earning wages in road construction while improving Jheir own allotments. The idea that tho Government should now acquire, suryey into subdivisions, and road enough land to provide for the return of the main body, is erroneous, apart from the present scarcity of labour. If tho land is really good and improved, it must be settled soon after acquisition, or will speedily deteriorate. We have already considerable areas of dairy land for which there is no present demand, and ox which we have to endeavour to let the grazing at low rentals to prevent it going back. This applies specially to the acquisition of private estates, which for that reason -we desire to acquire as the demand arises, and not to keep till the end of the war. As to Crown land, we desire to let the expenditure take place when we have the soldiers to do the work instead of spending while labour is short. The officers of the head office of the Lands Department and the Commissioners of Crown Lands have been most diligent in the matter of returned soldiers, and have given every assistance to the soldiers and to the Government. As to the pastoral runs in Canterbury and Otao-o, the Government has decided that returned soldiers who might desire to take up runs should have at least equal opportunity with tho people left in the dominion. They, therefore, with the complete concurrence of both Land Boards, directed that the runs which had been classified for subdivision, and which in the ordinary course would have been submitted for competition in February, 1918, shall not be so submitted until 1919, and not then unless the Avar is over and the Main Body are returned. There is at present no provision enabling tho Government to make special advances to enable a soldier to acquire for_ himself private land and to stock it. This is under consideration in the amendments to be proposed this session. The existing power of tho Government to acquire land from A for the purpose of subdivision among B, C, and D, would then extend to enable the Government in proper cashes to acquire tho land of A. and to lease it to B alone, when B, being a eoldicr, is able to arrange the purchase of a separate homestead of his own liking. It is obvious, however, that there must in such cases be a limit *as to tho amount of each purchase, and to the aggregate in each year of all such purchases. The Minister further explained that the Government had purchased for settlement by soldiers different classes of land, and that large areas of Crown land wore also available. Soldiers would be charged 5 per cent, on the cost of tho purcfiased land, plus the cost of loading and subdivision. These lands would bo acquired as they were wanted, and settlement would be encouraged as much as possible. The question of putting returned soldiers into businesses was, he thought, a very difficult matter, but it would bo dealt with by trustees selected by the Efficiency Board. Provision had, however, already been made for training returned soldiers for occupations other than thoso they had been accustomed to in technical schools and on State farms. The Government had also decided to grant special allowances over and above to disabled men desirous of being trained in new industries. These allowances were fixed provisionally at £1 per week, but in special cases moro would be granted. Referring to tho administration of patriotic funds, Sir James Allen said he thought they should bo dealt with on a general basis, but ho saw the difficulty of taking drastic action where funds had been raised locally. The treatment of men discharged from hispitals was purely a medical one, not a matter of pay or pension. Practically the association's desire for a Minister for Soldiers had been already met, as the Hon. Mr Herdman had been placed in charge of tho Department for Discharged Soldiers, but there was a difficulty in the matter, as the interests of the men trenched on so many different departments. Tho proposal for giving a holiday to men of the Main Body could not, he thought, be seriously considered. The question of the employment of aliens was a difficult one, but tho association's views would bo brought before Cabinet. / Captain Pitt thanked the Minisicr for his explanations, and the delegates accorded Sir James Allen a hearty cheer. GENERAL BUSINESS. Objection was raised to the misuse of the word " Anzac," and it was decided to urge the Government to frame regulations to prevent the word being used, except for memorial purposes, or by soldiers' clubs. Trooper Clutha Mackenzie spoke on the subject of establishing an official organ in the interests of returned- soldiers. —The pro-

posal was cljscnsscrl at some length, and a motion was carried affirming the desirableness of establishing such a paper.—A comrttittee was appointed to consider the proP At the afternoon sitting the question of providing land for soldiers was debated at length, and a resolution was carried setting out that the present proposals of the Government for settling returned soldiers on land were unsatisfactory, and that a committee consisting or six returned soldiers be appointed by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, and an equal number of experts to be appointed by the Government inquire into the whole question. In the evening the delegates sat in committee to consider the question of establishing a newspaper. Financial matters were also discussed.