RETURNED SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 38

RETURNED SOLDIERS

FRICTION WITH THE HON. MR RUSSELL.

CHRISTCHURCH, April 29. The annual meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association decided to make application for greater representation of the association on th© Repatriation Board j to ask the Government Ho declare Anzac Day a statutory holiday j and to protest to the Defence Department against, the practico of closing hotels when draft of soldiers return.

The following resolution was carried unanimously:—' That this meeting expresses strong resentment at the attitude of the Hon G. W. Russell towards the aspirations of the association, and notes with regret his efforts to stop an appeal to the publio for funds for the purpose of erecting suitable club rooms for the recreation of returned soldiers at Timaru, but rejoices that the pressure of public opinion caused the withdrawal of the opposition. It now desires to draw the attention of the public to his refusal to permit the trustees of the Lady Liverpool Fund to carry out their desire to devote - a sum of money to the needs of our building fund." <^

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. . CHRISTCHURCH, April 29.

Replying to criticism by the Ohristchurch Returned Soldiers' Association at his refusal to sanction the transfer of £3OOO from the Lady Liverpool Fund to the Soldiers' Club Building Fund, the Hon. G. W. Russell said: "The veto was imposed on the direct advice of the Solicitor-general, i The purpose of the fund having ceased, it came under the War Funds Act automatically. The Act made no provision for such a transfer, and he-would not create a precedent. The Minister added that the patriotic funds totalled £1,700,000, raised for the benefit of soldiers and their dependents, and they should be maintained as a sacred heritage ; but there was undoubtedly hoarding, and he would shortly publish a statement of the funds of over £IO,OOO, showing the revenue received, the amount paid over for last year, and the credit balance. This would be an eye-opener for the people, and especially for the soldiers, who should seek to protect their funds and should have more direct control or partnership in their managementand he hoped that increased representation of soldiers on the War Funds Council would soon be given."

ARRIVAL OF TWO DRAFTS. WELLINGTON, April 29. The Raranga, with 1075 troops, anchored in the stream this morning. She reported all well and a clean ship. The steamer came via Panama, and had a good voyage, which was marred by losing one of the shin's complement at 99a— Private D. M'Dougall, 2/1245. The troops disembarked at 3 p.m. and were given an enthusiastic reception. The weather was perfect, and there was a very large gathering on the wharf, and a large crowd lined the •route taken by the motor cars, of which a large number attended, under the auspices-of the Motor Voluntary Corps. Most of the Nelson and Westport men left -by the NJkau to-day, and the balance will leave to-morrow. THE TAINTJI'S DRAFT. WELLINGTON, April 30. The transport Tainui berthed this morning, and 605 troops, 47 nu-rses, and 50 wives disembarked. The troops include 80 jaw cases. The men had a' rousing reception. Th© Napier and Giaborne men left by the 9.10 express, and the Auckland men left by the special train at 2 p.m. The Nelson men will leave by the Pateena, the Otago and Canterbury men by the ferry boat to-night, and the Wanganui and Taranaki troops by the express to-morrow. The southern quota of the Tainui's draft of returning soldiers arrived in Dunedin by the first express on Thursday in charge of Lieutenant Williams. The draft consisted of 58 men, 29 of whom were for Dunedin and 29 for destinations south of this city. They were met on the railway platform by Colonel Cowie Nichols, Captain Dyer, Captain Dobson, and Lieutenant Shand, the detail arrangements being in the capable hands oif Sergeant-major Macan. The Dunedin men were promptly conveyed to their homes in cars supplied by the Otago Motor Club, and representatives of the Otago and Southland Women's Patriotic Association were present and presented each soldier with a parcel containing cigarettes and chocolates. In addition to the southern draft of men from the Tainui several Otago details, who are to be patients of the Jaw Hospital, arrived by the train. Altogether some 50 men have arrived by the Tainui to be treated at this institution, which is to be the only one of its kind in the dominion. The whole of these men have been granted a month's sick leave, and will not become patients of that institution -until the expiration of that period-

ARRIVAL OF REMUERA'S DRAFT. AUCKLAND. May 5. _ The transport Remuera- arrived early this morning with 30 officers, nine nurses, 434 non-commissioned officers and men, 104 wives, and 58 children. Thirty-four R.A.F. men who left New Zealand shortly before the armistice was signed and received their commission in England also returned, together with seven naval ratings, and besides these there are 14 Imperial officers who are included in the ship's roll, with 250 civilian passengers. The ship received the usual enthusiastic' welcome, a seaplane dropping messages of welcome and confetti aboard as she steamed up the harbour. The Remuera left Plymouth on March 17, and the voyage was without incident. _ Coming across the Atlantic the boat ran into a very heavy storm, and had a lifeboat swept away while she was lying to for 36 hours. After that the weather was all that could be desired, and at three ports of call the troops were given a great reception. For three days the townspeople of Newport News entertained them lavishly. During their stay at Jamaica all ranks were welcomed and refreshed at Hope Gardens, while the officers were received at Liguiana' Military and Naval Officers' Club. At Colon they stayed only one night before coming through the Panama Canal, and a brief halt was made at Pitcairn Island to hand out papers, literature, and writing materials, also -a gramophone presented by the Y.M.C.A. to the inhabitants.

THE SOUTHERN MEN. As the Remuera proved to be a clean

ship, disembarkation was commenced at 9 a.m. on Monday. The men _ were in charge of Brigadier-general Richardson, who ha 3 had with him Surgeon-colonol E. J. O'Neill, D. 5.0., and Lieutenant-colonel N. S. Falla, CM.G. ( D. 5.0., of Dunedin.

NAVAL MEN BY THE MAKURA. WELLINGTON, May 5. The following naval passengers, Otaga district, are returning to New Zealand by the Makura, which is due at Auckland on May 6:—Engineer Sub-lieutenant A. MacDonald, Engineer Sub-lieutenant O. E. Dunn, Chief Motor Mechanics G. G. M'Knight, E. A. L. Grigg, G. H. Green (all Dunedin), Chief Motor Mechanio W. H. Hodgkins (Ranfurly), Lieutenant R. M. Watson (Port Chalmers), Engineer Lieutenant J. Allen (Oamaru). ■ THE KIA ORA. CHRISTCHURCH, May 5. It is probable that the Kia Ora, with 979 troops on board, of whom 387 are for Canterbury and 21 for West Coast, which is due to arrive at Lyttelton at daylight on Wednesday, will have to go into quarantine for at been received of at least one case of influenza on board. As it is, the vessel is late, it having previously been announced that she would arrive at Lyttelton by midday on Tuesday. At the earliest now the men are not likely to reach the city before Thursday morning. There are 430 men for Otago, who will leave by special train. TRANSPORTS EN ROUTE. Following is an approximate time-table of transports bringing returning drafts: — Kia Ora, due May 6, at Lyttelton; 430 men for Otago. This vessel was originally timed to arrive on the 7th inst. Northumberland, due May 9, at Wellington ; 48 for Otago. Arawa, due May 12, at Lyttelton; 215 for Otago. Paparoa, due May 24, at Wellington ; 189 for Otago. The Paparoa was originally due on May 13, but has been delayed. Cai'pentaria, due May 17, at' Lyttelton; 245 for Otago. Rimutaka, due May 17, at Wellington; 39 for Otago.