RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

■ ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 26. The annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was opened to-day, Dr Boxer (Hastings) presiding. About 60 delegates were present. They were welcomed by the Mayor. The annual report contains severe criticism of the Government for its hasty legislation last session. The executive, says the report, has consistently urged upon the Government and the people generally the imperative need for providing at the earliest possible date machinery for repatriation. The Government created a Department of Repatriation with greater regard for political consideration than efficient administration. A repatriation policy had not been enunciated because the Government has nono to put forward, and any constructive suggestions made have come chiefly from the association and representative Repatriation Committees. After dealing with the cost _of living, particularly as affects the ex-soldier, the report refers to his future. A radical remodelling of,our social system, it says, is imperative, and for a long period to come industrial unrest is likelv to be such as both to threaten the whole economic basis of society and to create uncomfortable conditions of those whose positions in the social organism are not relatively well paid and secure. It was to be regretted that the Government had given no indication that they Realised the position. The problem of repatriation would reach a critical stage in a few mo.rths, but, so far as preparations by those responsible were concerned, tho indications were that it would be sheer good luck if theri were not serious trouble. With regard to land settlement, insufficient data were available to judge of tho success or otherwise of the scheme of settling soldiers.

"Certain features of administration of the Land Department," says the report, "call for severe comment. The demand for land by returned soldiers is no casual one to be satisfied "through the ordinary channels of land exchange." The president, in moving the adoption of the report, said that the qualities which had distinguished the New Zealand Force would now -'have to be applied in civil matters. The great question of 1919 was the Repatriation Act, brought down in December. This was carried in a rough-and-tumble scramble, and was an absolute abortion. The exigencies of the situation, however, made necessary a measure q£ support by the association with the l4giA ist criticism reserved. The Government had had three years' experience in repatriating men, and at the_ end of 1918 had done practically nothing in that direction. That was tho Government's own condemnation. The

association did not see why the Government should sacrifice efficiency to political belief. He hoped to see a single Minister responsible for the repatriation, with the co-ordination of the whole scheme in his own person. It was not until the armistice had forced its hands that, the Government pushed through the December, 1918, scheme. Patriotic boards had been doing the work for three years, when the Government sought, as it would do,! to speed up the moneys into its own coffers. It should have it made clear that such was not its right, seeing that these bodies had been doing tho Government's works. Whenever the Government found a private body ready to carry on its work it washed its hands of tho work and said "Carry on." The president urged the engagement of a well-paid secretary. He urged strong support of Quick March, the association's official organ. The association's representation on the various bodies was extremely good, but he hoped to see the day when every Land Board in New Zealand would have a member of tho association thereon. He urgedlocal support of local associations, and a greater interest in matters affecting soldiers' interests.

Mr Batten (Wellington), in seconding the adoption of the report, said it was a matter for congratulation that tho association had never heckled or embarrassed the Government. He urged the need for greater publicity regarding tho work of tho association, not only through Quick March, but through other papers. Mr Andrews' (Auckland) said tho report was disappointing. Everything tho previous conference had instructed the executivo to do they had tried to carry out, but had met with great difficulties. The Government had not clone its duty regarding retrospective allowances. The association had a great task ahead, and if it could not get justice during the next year it would never get it.

Mr MacManus (Dunedin) said he regretted that nothing had been said about the creation of new industries or the expansion of old industries. The Government policy had been one of inaction. Repatriation could not ignore industries. In the matter of land there was an urgent need for direct representation, for land had been purchased at fictitious values based on war profits. It was possible that soldiers would make a living while prices were high, but when prices came down soldiers might be faced with ruination.

Mr Miller (Taieri) said tho Government had alienated the sympathy of tho country, and had done absolutely nothing for the returned'-Ssoldiers. Commission agents should be cut out from dealings with land for returned soldiers.

Mr Leadley (C'hristchurch) said the Christchurch Association had initiated a proposal to settle soldiers at poultry farming in Canterbury, but it had been turned down. If thero had been one Minister in charge of repatriation the matter could have been dealt with more expeditiously. Mr Leadley

remarked that the Government concessions regarding retrospective allowances had been extracted by threats, and if justice could not be got "otherwise, he believed in using threats and backing them np. Determination' was neaded in fighting the Government.

Mr Brown (Wtinganui) said it was the second mortgage which presented the main difficulty to returned men. Mr Laycock (Pahnerston North) said the newspapers seemed to delight in giving publicity to returned soldiers' offences. There was a tremendous gamble going on with regard to land values. Mr Luxford (Waikato) said that the land boards, and not tha repatriation boards, were doing the work of repatriation. The position in regard to pensions was absolutely wrong. He suggested the appointment of an exclusive organising! secretary in addition to the general secretary. Mr ibalhousie (Auckland) regretted that so little had been accomplished by the executive, but the fault lay with Parliament. Mr Jacobs (Palmer'ston North) said there had been too little constructive criticism. Returned soldiers were"' almost as much to blame as the Government, for even at this day the association had no definite proposals to put to the department. He advocated the compulsory acquisition of land for soldiers.

Mr Long (Auckland) regretted the failure of the report to mention the nursing- sisters, and urged the association to take up their case. He condemned the departmental heads for obstruction in repatriating, and 6aid the Public Service Commissioner had declared that girls were so satisfactory as clerks that there was little possibility of returned soldiers getting positions in the public service. Mr Pridham (Wanganui) said the public revenue, must not be got from soldiers, but from the stay at homes. Mr Rcid (Blenheim) deprecated criticism of the executive, declaring that probably most district associations wanted clearing out.

Mr Seymour (general secretary), in replying to criticism respecting the lateness of the report, said the Marton branch had returns whatever during the year, and its delegates were therefore not eligible to vote. At si later stage an explanation was offered by the Marton delegates, who were permitted to remain. Mr Harper (Wellington) said the executive welcomed constructive criticism. It had done a huge amount of work, and afterall the association must depend on the general public for assistance, and the work of the executive in influencing public opinion could not be over-e-.timntod. Ho, denied the allegation of the Waikato delegate who said one soldier's pension had been stopped on the report of a policeman. It was the duty of the Waikato branch to have reported the matter promptly, but he had telegraphed for full information. Referring to the Wellington deputation on retrospective allowances, Mr Harper said that

Sir James Allen had left the room before Mr Fox made his statement, and the credit for the Minister's altered attitude was due to Mr Olinkard's suggestion that justice should be done to married men before gratuities were considered. Mr Melling (Auckland) replied that Mr Clinkard had admitted that Mr Fox's threat had carried the day. He urged that vocational training should be taken out of the hands of Mr W. H. Montgomery and placed under tho Repatriation Board, where Mr Montgomery might get a much more useful post. Mr Stringer (Waikato) said the association was up against the need for direct representation on land boards. The motion to adopt the report was carried, and the conference proceeded to appoint committees. On the election of the Land Committee there was a protest that only one South Island member was nominated. The committee was therefore enlarged to give more even representation. LABOUR FEDERATION'S MESSAGE. CHBISTCHURCH, May 27. At the Returned Soldiers' Conference today, it was decided that the conference should find no decision regarding the eligibility of Red Crass, Y.M.C.A. and V.A.D. workers for membership. Mr Hiram Hunter, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, wrote extending fraternal greetings to delegates, and stating that the association had the cordial support of the federation, which, he said, was prepared to co-operate with the association to attain its objects. He enclosed copies oE a manifesto by tho National Executive dealing with the subject of repatriation. The annual conference of the federation will be held in Wellington in July, and if there was any matter which the association wished to lay before the conference it would be welcomed, and duly dealt with. In the meantime the National Executive of tho Federation was at the association's service, and hoped the con-, ference would be aa successful as they desired. —The letter was received.

The Wellington Association forwarded a remit that the regulations governing admiseion to membership he extended to include all members of the Samoan advance party. It was stdtod that men had been given an opportunity to leave the force without actual discharge, and had not rejoined the Expeditionary Force. Mr Luxford (Waikato) said that no man who went to Samoa originally knew what he was in for. They, therefore, deserved the same privileges as those who had actually sailed for other fields. Mr Rivers (Hastings) said he had been a member of the Samoan Force. On leaving Samoa the men had been told on parade that they were a disgrace to the King's uniform, and felt sore on account of this, although they had actually been under active eervico conditions. A lot of the

men belonged to the Railway Battalion, and their services had been retained by the department.—The remit was adopted. The adoption of the report of the Board of Management of the Quick March newspaper was moved. Mr Dalhousie (Auckland) said the conference would like an assurance that only returned soldiers 'were employed on the staff.

Mr Batten (Wellington) said the associate editor was Mr L. S. Fanning, who was not a returned soldier.' Full consideration would be given shortly to the appointment of a permanent editor. In further discussion reference was made to the maimer in which the paper had succeeded. It was pointed out that its circulation, however, amongst returned men was capable of vory considerable improvement.—The report was adopted, and a committee was set up to consider ways and means of improving the circulation and usefulness of the newspaper. A proposal that any person who had worn the King's uniform during the present war, and had been honourably enscharged, should be eligible for election aa an associate member without the right to vote was submitted by the Auckland Association. It was contended that this would enable the associations to officialJly take up cudgels on behalf of the men who had been discharged from camp: However, it was pointed out that the adoption of the remit would entitle Boy Scouts and others to become associate members. —The proposal was thrown out on the voices. A proposal that veterans of other wars than the present one, who could show a "clean discharge" could qualify for admission, as members of the Returned Soldiers' Associations was moved by Mr M'Callum (Christchurch). Mr Andrews (Auckland) said the associations would be proud to admit to their ranks old veterans, but would object to men who had served in other wars but Who had successfully appealed against service in tho present war.—(Applause.) He moved aa amendment to this effect.

Mr Melling (Auckland) seconded the amendment. He knew of one South African veteran whose service then was in the remount department, and who contended that this service excused him from service in this war.

Mr Melling pointed out that a certain Labour leader who had served in the South African war had since been imprisoned for 12 months for sedition. The motion would entitle this man to join the association. Mr Leadley said they could use their discretion about admitting him. Members said that the association could not help admitting him. The rules would compel it. . , The amendment was lost on the voices, and the original motion was also lost by a largo majority. Mr Brown (Wanganui) moved that a federation I've formed with the South African Veterans' Associations and other organi-

Sations of veterans to deal with any matters that may be of common concern. Mr Malone (Napier) moved an amendment that the oonlorenc© affirm the principle of admitting veterans of the South African and other wars, but that consideration of tiie matter be deferred for 12 months.

Mr Pridham (Wanganui) said the motion did not intend that veterans of other wars should be admitted to membership of the association, but that this association should affiliate.

The amendment was carried by a large majority.

" That, as returned men in country districts, we find a difficulty in obtaining the 1914-15 riband and service chevrons, the Defence Department be requested to supply game," was the text of a remit moved by Mr Gomel', of the Hawera Association.

Mr Melling (Auckland) urged that the Government should be called on to call in all such ribands from the drapery establishments in which they were on and that a list of the men entitled to the riband be drawn up. Ho gave instances of men who were wearing the 1914-15 riband who were not entitled to it.

Mr Brandon (Wellington) said the only free issue of ribands by the War Office was 9in of riband with a medal. He gave instances of men in New Zealand wearing the 1914-15 riband, and even the Allied riband, which he understood could be obtained in Auckland, when those ribands were unauthorised.

Mr Andrews (Auckland) expressed the opinion that ribands should be sold only by licensed firms., who must assure themselves of the bona fides of a purchaser before supplying him. He also gave an instance of a man wearing a wound stripe when he had been "to Samoa only. The original remit was carried, and Mr Melling then moved a motion embracing his remarks, but after discussion it was decided to leave the drafting of a motion on the matter to the Legal Committee set up earlier in the day. The executive submitted a remit, which was passed, reading as follows: —"That it be a recommendation to the Government that for "the purpose of inclusion under the benefits conferred by the war, pensions and Repatriation Acts, returned soldiers who were domiciled in New Zealand prior to the war and served with a "force other than the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, shall bo eligible only on proof being shown that they enlisted in New Zealand prior to such service with another force."

The following remit from Invercargill was negatived, "That the -present system of giving the same privileges soldiers who •were in camp at the time the armistice was signed as to those who had left New Zealand be discontinued." A remit from Palmerston North urged, " That in the reorganisation of the Defence Department and Staff active service men should talce preference." The Chairman that as far as experience -was concerned the matter was practically a. washout. .If General Richardson accomplished as much in the next three months as he had done in the last three weeks there would very soon be none but active service men employed. The remit ■was adopted. Considerable discussion took place on a remit from Wanganui, as follows: "That this •association asks that legislation be passed to/give wider powers to disburse the various funds now in the hands of the various patriotic bodies, so that they may be made available for. the assistance of fit men, as well as sick and wounded."

The Chairman said there was no question that the Government, or rather the Minister of Internal Affairs, would attempt to collar those funds for his own pet schemes. For instance, it was suggested that thev might be used for sanatoria for consumptive soldiers. That idea was preposterous. The matter was a Government "strut," i.urely and simply. It would, he considered, .be a pieoe of unmitigated thieving if the Government took those monevs which had been philanthropically subscribed. If it had not been for the patriotic societies the Government would have found itself forced long ago to adopt some scheme to deal with conditions as they arose.

Mr Leadley (Christehurch) instanced the Minister's refusal to transfer the local Lady Liverpool Fund's surplus to the Christehurch Returned Soldiers' Association building fund, which was gazetted as a war fund. Mr Andrews (Auckland) said that many people had made immense profits out of the war, but had given not a single penny to patriotic funds,, which the so-called National "Government now proposed to take in order to protect such people from taxation. Every means should be used to see that the Government did not step in, and take the money that should be used for assisting the soldiers.

The Chairman remarked that he knew patriotic bodies throughout the country were very sore at the attitude of the Minister of Internal Affairs towards the funds they had nursed so carefully for four years. The remit was carried unanimosly. The following remits were also carried: (From; Auckland) That this conferenc views with alarm and indignation the apparent intention of the' Government, to take away from various patriotic associations the largo funds now in their hands; (from Napier), That the Government be strongly .urged to extend legislation to permit the executive of the Lady Liverpool Funds, and funds with similar objects, to expend their funds at their own discretion, in accordance with the spirit and objects for which they were raised.

On behalf of the Oamaru Association, which had no delegate present, Mr Alrich (Wellington), moved a remit, that the asso ciation considers that all conscientious objectors, having received sentence, should be made to serve the full term. Mr Andrews (Auckland) moved an ■amendment; that the following words be added to the remit: "And that the Government be urged to uso every endeavour, by offering rewards and by any other means at its disposal, to bring to trial every man who failed to parade when called in at the ballot, and every man who deserted from camp after being attested." Mr Alrich agreed to include those words in his motion, but the chairman ruled that tho amendment referred to a different question from that of the actual remit.—lt was decided that Mr Andrews's proposal should come up as a separate motion. At the suggestion of Mr Batten (Wellington). Mr Alrich agreed to alter tho words "conscientious objectors" in Ids remit to "military defaulters." Mr MacManus (Dunedin) said he was of opinion that a military defaulter should, bo punished, but if he really had conscientious objections then, now that the war was won, there was no oall for any display of vindiofcivecoSß.

Mr Long (Auckland) said ho would have no mercy whatever on the man who had shirked his responsibilities to his country, but ho would punish him in such a way that the punishment would not reflect on his dependents. The speaker _ respected a man wuo had a genuine religious opinion, but many had shirked their responsibility behind the cloak of religion. Ho added that the Auckland Association had pledged itself to sit on no committee —in fact, to associate in tit) way whatever —with men who had failed to fulfil their obligations to their country. Mr Melling (Auckland) strongly supported Mr Long and the remit. Mr Simeon (Gicbornc) said there was only one way in which to describe a man who would not fight for his wife and children and for his flag—he was a cur to his flag and to his country, and shooting was too good for him. Mr Tatersall (Rotorua) supported the remit, and remarked that every man who had been sentenced had had his case thoroughly sifted before such action was taken. The remit was then put, and carried unanimously. Mr Andrews's motion, as previously worded, was also carried without dissent. With reference to Anzac Day, the Wellington Association sent in a remit: "That the Government be urged to declare Anzac D'ay a statutory holiday, and that the clay be one of commemoration for those of our comrades who gave up their lives during the great war." A remit from the Oamaru Association also recommended that April- 25 bo declared a statutory holiday for alKtune. The mover agreed to alter the words in the remit, "that the Government be urged," to "that it be demanded of the Government." Several speakers expressed the hope that Anzac Day should always be regarded not only as a holiday, but as a holy day incidentally. The Chairman remarked k that if New Zealand had been closer to the seat of war there would have been not nearly so much of "that damnable spirit of profiteering^' The remits were carried in silence, delegates standing. j The general opinion of the conference was that Anzac Day should also be observed as a close holiday, and that all business places, theatres, and hotcls.be closed. RETROSPECTIVE. ALLOWANCES. CHRISTC'HURCH, May 28. Sir James Allen (Acting Prune Minister) attended the Returned J3olc.iers' Conference this afternoon, and the debate on political action was temporarily suspended to receive him. The matter of retrospective allowances were gone into with him, and the association's views fully explained. Sir James A'den said that with regard to retrospective allowances there had been difficulty owing to imperfect records. He recognised the unfairness of payment onlv from date of embarkation, and his estimate, was based on the date of going into camp. He, therefore, proposed to pay in June what had already been agreed, and if the conference could suggest a way out he would pay from the date of attestation; but then *Ebere would be a second payment on the more difficult -question of children's allowances. He was faced with the fact that some men with as many as nine children had enlisied. In come of these cases pensions were being paid, although some of the elder children might not rbe receiving pensions. The conf-irenoe could discuss, the matte*.* and Cabinet would give it full consideration. Th:se men were not compelled to enlist; and when he knew .of th ■» heavy 3 esponsibilitios involved he stopped them. Ajj far as those v/ho had gone, increased allowances to children was paid immediately it wis authorised, and separation allowances had been paid for men with*eight and nine children. So far, however, he did not think that retrospective allowances to children were justifiable. Speaking of renatrintinn.- Sir James said it was no use putting men into temporary billets. He had been anxious to have a board of one Minister, but the present board had done much better than was expected. The Act was not what was wanted, but it could not be altered before next session of Parliament. Everybody should try to make the best of what they had. With certain amendments the present machinery would fulfil most of the requirements. He wished to thank the boards for their work." PAY AND ALLOWANCES. CHRISTCHURCH, May 29. At the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Conference this morning the following resolution was carried: — : *"Hiat all the remaining remits bearing on the question of political action be considered as having been disposed of." A remit which was referred by the conference to its Medical Committee was from Invercargill, and was to the effect that the Government be strongly urged to abolish . hospital blue for those in hospital. In the course of its report the committee said it was of opinion that the objection to hospital blue was caused by disgraceful fitting garments at present issued. The committee recommended that the Minister of Defence be urged to hasten th© fulfilment of his promise to have a proper fitting garment on issue.

The President said properly fitting blues were now being issued by the Government as fast as they could be supplied. He thought in fairness to the department, tho conference should recognise it was attempting to tackle the question. Mr Dalhousie (Auckland) moved as an amendment that the regulations regarding blue uniforms should be extended to include officers. After some discussion Mr Dalhousie, amidst applause, withdrew his amendment, and the remit and the committee's report were passed. Remits dealing with tubercular and venereal cases were considered. In regard to the former, it was agreed that the Government was attempting to cope with the position, but that sanatorium accommodation was insufficient, and a resolution was passed _ protesting against the attitude of tho residents of Devonport, which forced the authorities to close the Narrow Neck Camp.

_ The delay in fitting men with artificial .limbs was discussed, and a remit was carried to the effect that an expert should be obtained and placed in charge of a cen tral factory, and better allowances and accommodation provided for limbless men when away from homo for treatment. The committee's recommendations in regard > to pay and gratuitieo were adopted, and it was agreed to advocate that the rate allowance of 2s to undischarged soldier outpatients at hospitals be increased immediately to 4s per day.

The matter of demanding an extra, chilling per day for members of the Tunnelling Corps, to bring the pay to 6a (the British rate) was referred to the incoming executive.

In connection with the allowance to widowed mothers, it was decided to approach tho Government to have such put on a bettor footing. In connection with venereal diseases, the executive forwarded the following remit:— '" That it be a recommendation to the Minister of Defence to amend the regulations in reference to the treatment of venereal disease patients so as to delete provisions of a punitive character, except auoh as are justified on tho ground of loss of services to the State, or suoh as provide for cases where the disease has been intentionally contracted or retained." On this remit tho committee had no further recommendation to offer. The report continued: Tho committee recognise the value of the regulations concerning- the treatment of venereal disease cases returning to New Zealand, and commends the Government for its action, but the committee _is strongly of opinion that the same or similar regulations should be enforced upon civilian cases of venerea! disease, and to attain this the Contagious Diseases Act' should bo passed into law. Tho committee wishes to emphasise that tho soldier, by reason of the compulsion to obey tho King's Regulations in reference to notification of venereal diseaseautomatically and ultimately conies under the Public Health Department", whereas the civilian venereal disease is under no regulation, and is a graver menace to public health than is the soldier.' The committee further recommends that the position of venereal disease as above stated be placed before the Council of the British Medical Association, with the idea of securing co-operation in the attempt to have tho Contagious Diseases Act passed into law. A brief discussion took place on the matter of venereal diseases, and Mr Luxford expressed the hope that publicity in a most emphatic way would be given to the returned soldier's desire to .have the venereal diseases problem tackled courageously and legislation passed recording it. The Chairman remarked that what was necessary was the insistence on notification. Until the cases were notifiable how could they be traced. The whole point was not the Oontagoous Diseases Act, but the notification.

Mr Cowles (Mastcrton) moved that the concluding words of the report: "To have the Contagions Diseases Act "passed into law" be altered to read: "To have venereal diseases made notifiable."

The Rev. W. Walter (Ghristchiu-ch) supported both tho report and the amendment, which was carried, and tho report as amended was adopted. At to-night's sitting- Mr Batten moved on Mr Jacobs's behalf to rescind a motion carried at the afternoon sitting in favour of retrospective officers' pay. Mr Elliott moved as an amendment that retrospective pay bo asked only for second lieutenants.

The amendment was lost on the voices, and the motion was defeated by 28 to 26. The subsequent motion, that no action should be taken in the matter for 12 months, was carried.

It was unanimously agreed that headquarters should defray the expenses of secretaries at a secretaries' conference. '■ Mr Harper, # a member of the Pensions Board, addressed the conference on tho pensions' administration, and answered numerous questions, receiving a. hearty vote of thanks on concluding. The Legal Committee submitted the following resolution: —"That a Bill be introduced to Parliament for the purpose of having April 25 made a close holiday, to be called 'Anzao Day,' "in commemoration of those who had fallen in the great war. The Bill shall ulso provide that on Anzac Day all places of business and amusement shall bo closed, also all hotels."

The following definition of returned soldier was adopted:—"Returned soldier shall mean those persons who hare server! in or with his Majesty's Forces oversea during .the great war, and have been honourably discharged or are awaiting honourable discharge." The following recommendation of the Legal Committee was adopted :—"That'The Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Act, 1918,' be amended to include the riband in addition to the relative order or medal, and further giving the Governor-general-in-Council power to make- regulations safeguarding sale of ribands to° unauthorised persons." „ LAND SETTLEMENT QUESTION. CHRISTCHCRCH, May'3o. At the Returned Soldiers' Conference this morning tho executive's remit regarding pensions was carried, also a remit from Hawera, that tho Cabinet be requested to direct the Pensions Board to apply the doctrine' of pre-war disability only after a careful review of tho whole circumstances in each case. A motion by Mr Long (Auckland), that when the application of a returned soldier is refused by the Pensions Board, he shall be allowed to appeal against the decision, with a representative of the Returned Soldiers' Association to conduct his appeal, was carried.

It was decided that the Government be approached to form a Pensions Appeal Board, also to affirm that the Pensions Act should be amended to provide for pensions being payable either in the case of death or disablement at any time after discharge When death pr disablement resulted from war service. x The coinereneo discussed a proposal affirming the principle of paying a totally disabled man nis pre-war income, and re ferred the question to the incoming executive 10 obtain the evidence of economists. "i'ho conference resolved to acknowledge letters- from the United Federation of Labour and the Canterbury Industrial Association, expressing good wishes and proiiuriug help. The Lands Committee reported to the conference to-day on the land settlement policy wliich it has brought down. This provides for taking the matter of acquiring- country lands lor soldiery out of the hands of land boards and transferring it to new public committees wliich it was proposed to set up each such committee to have tho power of direct action, subject only to,- the veto of Ministers in charge of repatriation. Each committee should have its own district, and for this purpose tho existing repatriation committee districts so far n,s possible should bo adopted. Each committee should consist of three members, one to be appointed by tho Governor-in-Council, ono by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, and one by an A. and P. Association, to bo nominated by the Govenaor-in-Council. It

was proposed that the amount oi advances lor ttie purchase ot stock and implements be increased to £1250, the powers ot rangers as to stock to be conferred upon individual members oi the committees. ihe attention of the Ministers concerned was drawn to tiio necessity of making provision to encourage the settlement oi unimproved lauds, 'ihe matter of encouraging such enterprises as timber milling, coal mining, etc., was referred to. Tho main purpose was to obviate the delay, incidental to Land Board procedure, and this purpose was stressed. A measure calculated to prevent inflation of tho price of land was included. Tho proposed machinery and organisation for the settlement of returned soldiers on tho land was set forth at length. Mr T. W. Stringer (convenor of tho committee) said it hud not found fault with the existing Act, which was a good one. The quarrel was with tho administration, 'ihe Land Purchase Board system was obsolete for returned soldiers, and the committee's scheme was to speed things up. Mr T. Miller said tho policy ws.s the very best he had seen. It was a greater credit to tho Returned Soldiers' Association than the Land Act wag to the Government, it was possiblo that under certain conditions the price of laud would go sky high, and to stabilise the value of land the committee had drafted a clause which was an honest attempt to meet the situation. The clauses wore considered seiiatim.

Regarding the committee's proposal that the value of the land proposed to bo devoted to soldier settlement bo based upon tho estimated productive capacity of such land, Mr MacManus (Dunedin) moved an amendment that the land value be based on pre-war prices.

The amendment was lost, and the committee's report was adopted with a few amendments, including ono by Mr MacMantis: " That the Government ho urged to introduce a scale of taxation so graduated as to force upon the market large areas of laud at present not utilised to their full productive capacity."

CHRISTCHURCII, May 31. The Returned Soldiers' Association Con fe,rence was continued to-day:—

The Finance Committee estimated the income for the coming year as £3750, and expediture at £3283 15s. The following officers were elected:— President. Dr Boxer; treasurer, Mr R. J. Alclrich; Exeeutivo Committee—Auckland, Messrs Watts, Long, Pollock, Ching. Wellington, Messrs Batten, Harper, Curtayne, Bell, Cowles, Jacobs (Palmersfon North was fixed as the centre of the district): Canterbury, Messrs M'Callum, Leadley, Anderson, Soott; Otago, Messrs M'Lean, Laing, Graham, Miller. The question of representation of associations at conferences was reopened. After considerable discussion it was decided that the basis of representation of all local associations should be ono vote to 430 members, and that no association should have more than 20 votes, the votes of associations to be equally divided amongst delegates. It was further decided that all questions should be settled by voting power, but the conference could, as an, alternative measure, revert to the individual voting, but this reversion shoidd be settled by the voting power of associations. The executive was instructed not to accept the affiliation of any association which could not furnish satisfactory evidence of an immediate membership of at least 100. This, however, was not to apply to associations already affiliated, or in process of affiliation. It was provided that headquarters should accept no affiliation without reference to the District Committee.

The following remit was considered: — Tfeat the Government be aeked to set up a commission consisting of three men, of whom two shall be permanently disabled soldiers, to inquire into the question of employing pernjanently disabled men in Government departments and other industries, and that in the -event of delay the disabled man's pension be made sufficient to keep him until a position is found for him.

Mr E. F. Andrews (Auckland) stressed the importance of the matter, and pointed out that the State was the largest employer in the country. He felt strongly on the matter, because he considered these men were not being given a fair deal by the Government.

Mr W. E. Leadlcy (Christohurch) said that; not only did the Government not employ permanently disabled men, but it was unwilling to employ returned .men at all. A medical examination had to bo v passed before a man could enter Government employment. After further discussion the remit was carried.

The Managerial Board of Quick March was reappointed. The Repatriation Committee report was brought down, and was considered seriatim.

The conference affirmed the principle that the maximum grant for a business should be increased from £3OO to £SOO, with £IOO free of interest.

The repatriation report was adopted with the Minister's amendments.

The following definition of policy in regard to clubs was adopted:—(a) The object of a Returned Soldiers' Club is repatriative, and is in no sense of word for service ; (b) the club, if built with public money, should _be vested in a board of tmsteos consisting of an equal number of civilians and returned soldier.". Tho internal, management of the club should be dele?;atcd by this board to tho committee of the local association so long as such control ami iirp'vapronvnt n.re satisfactory.

Oji Mr Batten's motion it was resolved that this conference considers the Minister of Internal Affairs has no right to make general statements os to the •advisability or otherwise of Returned Soldiers' Clubs. This is a- matter of local needs, and docs not admit -of a general ruling. Since the legal position is not ps stated by the Minister in re'ntion to the transfer of certain patriotic fundfl to returned soldiers, it is requested that this veto be at once removed.

On Mr M'Cal'um'n motion it was resolved that the executive take anv necessary <=t"ns to fin-illv sf'trb* the !o<ral wpstio'n* involved in the mutter of the transfer to tho T?et-irned Soldiers' Club of certain natriot ; o funds.

On the recommendation of the Executive Rub-committee it was resolved that a land department and bureau should bo constituted as o feature .in activity of every association largo enough to warrant it: that tho New Zealand Association should appoint a Dominion Land Executive diroctlv rcs-nowible to the executive and chareed with the association's doLLct of land activities, and that a dominion land office should

be established iti that connection ivith headquarters under the control of a land organiser.

On Mr MaeManus's suggestion Mr Batten agreed to strike out the recommendation in the repatriation report that an apprentice should not marry until ho v,-as .a competent tradesman.

The motion that all. soldier apprentices should receive the award rate.was lost. A further motion that disabled men learning new trades should receive tho award rates was also lost, Mr Batten pointing out that this would mean a rush to the highest paid trades in which there- was no guarantee that a man would ever become fully competent. The policy should bo to train men to become independent of Government assistance. .

It was resolved—" That having; regard to the present great scarcity of houses in New Zealand the confer mco urge on the Government the immediate and pressing necessity for State o.ction towards building nouses suitable for occupation by returned men and their dependents, so that it be not confined to erecting b'ocks of houses on special Government areas, but to distribute houses in as many quarters of a town a* possible."