RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association waa held on the Ist, Dr Harrison presiding. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Lawson, to urge the Government to form a bureau to find employment for the large batch of immigrants, cx-service men, who are coming to New Zealand by the Waimana, The Secretary of the Roxburgh Returned Soldiers’ Association wrote that, in view of the fact that the Teviot Estate was soon to be thrown open to returned soldiers, his association considered soldiers should be warned that in its opinion the rentals were excessive and the water supply on 'several of the blocks inadequate. —The matter waa adjourned till the next meeting, in order that further information might be obtained. A letter was received from the Distriot Secretary stating that the sub-committee understood the Dunedin Executive had been informed that in cases where ignorance was pleaded men who had lost the rebate for . prompt payment of interest accounts owing to ill-wording of the account forms would be credited with it, and that the forms in future would carry sufficient and proper notice. REPATRIATION SUBSIDIES. The District Secretary reported that the Acting District Repatriation Officer had advised oim that he might take it for granted that married subsidised workers, who suffered fluids]up on account of the retention by the. board of the ss, need only apply at the office and substantiate their cases and the 5s would not be retained. In the case of single men who were supporting parents or had other obligations, and whoso training was being performed satisfactorily, no retention would be- made. The District Repatriation Officer had also advised the committee that the cases of subsidised workers who broke down in health and had to cease work temporarily were decided on their merits. If the breakdown were caused by a war disability, th© facts were placed before the Pensions Department and the man referred to Medical Headquarters for examination. The board had not in any instance deducted pay from a man who had been temporarily o2 work; but where it was known that a man’s disability had been brought about by his own excesses the amount usually received by him from & board would be stopped until he returned to work. SOLDIER MENTAL PATIENTS. The Prime Minister having stated that before he could consider the association’s request for a public court of inquiry into the admission and treatment of soldier mental patients at Seacliff definite cases would have to be cited, the sub-committee recommended that the ‘‘following names of exmental patients and others” be submitted to Mr Massey—Privates Donald Macintosh (Hanmer), A. R. D. Box (Port Chalmers), W. B. Miller (Portobeilo), Nurse Miller, Airs J. K. Macfie, and Colonel T. W. M’Donald. The report mentioned that Private Macintosh had allegations to make as to the treatment of Privates Creely and Maitland, and that Colonel Al’Donald would give evidence in support of other cases. Mr Jones moved, and Mr M’Nish seconded, the adoption of the report, with a view to sending it on to the Prime Minister. After further discussion the motion waa carried.