RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3875, 19 June 1928, Page 27

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING IN WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, June 12. The annual meeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was opened in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall today. The Dominion president (Sir Andrew Russell) presided, and. there was an attendance of over 30 delegates. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup), in opening the conference, said that such was the position of affairs in New Zealand to-day that there was much work for the association to do in helping returned soldiers who, with many others, found difficulty in earning a living. Last winter was a very bad period, and this winter had not opened too well, although he thought there were indications of better things. The country was undoubtedly under an obligation to the returned soldiers, and he would be very sorry if the time ever came when the people of New Zealand forgot the sacrifices which had Deen made during the Great War. Sir Andrew Russell said the question of unemployment was a serious one so far as returned soldiers were concerned, and they fully appreciated the Mayor's sympathy. One might be justified in re minding the public of the promises which were made to returned soldiers several years ago, promises which had, perhaps, been rather difficult’to fulfil. “ Two years ago," stated the annual report, “it was thought that rock bottom had been reached in so far as membership was concerned, and although the Dominion membership had not increased at March 31, 1927, there was during that year an obvious stirring of interest among the ex-servicemen. The past 12 months further manifested an increasing interest, and the effect is definitely noticed in the total membership, which exceeds the previous year’s total by nearly 8 per cent. This interest of ex-servicemen in their comrades, as demonstrated by the membership of this asociation, has been very aptly likened to a pendulum. From 1916 the swing was upward, and 1921 saw the peak and on the downward journey, which it may be said occupied seven years. The pendulum now appears to have passed zero, and things seem to be moving as they should do. First the interest of the ex-servicemen in the organisation increases, and then the membership total swells. If the organisation was not worthily carrying out its objects the awakened interest in these critical times would not be followed by the practical expression of support from the ‘ Diggers.’ Each year the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association has been confronted with one or more outstanding problems affecting ex-servicemen. This is inevitable, and is one of the reasons why the organisation has been. supported by those ex-servicemen who have given the matter any consideration at all. The years of 1914-1918 inflicted considerably more hardship upon those who served with the forces than upon the rest of the people of the world."

Regret was expressed in the report at the failure of the Government to amend the Pensions Act in regard to soldiers’ widows and the wives of disabled soldiers. Referring to the Pensions Appeal Board, the report stated: —“Although it is not possible to publish official figures of the results of those cases dealt with during the past 12 months, your Executive Committee is confident that the percentage of appeals upheld is as high as in previous years. An average of 60 per cent, successes, it is felt, may be considered quite satisfactory, and a tribute to the •wisdom of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association in pressing for the setting up of such a tribunal; The War Pensions Appeal Board may be said to embody all that the association could wish for, and once more your Executive Committee would say that although all cases are not successful in so far as awards of pension are concerned, almost every decision leaves the appellant satisfied that his has had a fair hearing and possessed of the knowledge that if he can support his claim with additional evidence he may be granted a rehearing." The report was adopted after a brief discussion, and the meeting adjourned until this afternoon. QUESTION OF PENSIONS. The conference to-night passed resolutions as follows:— That the War Pensions Act should be amended to provide for pensions for widows of ex-soldiers whose deaths are attributable to war service irrespective of a pre-war engagement to marry or the date of marriage. That old age pensions be available as of right at the age of 60 to returned soldiers, and at the age of 55 on the production of a medical certificate that his earning capacity is impaired. That the Imperial Government be asked to remove ths? clause stipulating that a claim for pensions must be made within seven years of the soldier’s discharge from the forces.

That in view of the large number of Imperial ex-servicemen now residing in New Zealand the conference urges upon the New Zealand Government the immediate necessity of entering into a reciprocal agreement with the Imperial Govrnment whereby the claims of such Imperial ex-servicemen for pensions and treatment may be investigated and decided by the New Zealand War Pensions Board, and if necessary the Appeal Board.

That the New Zealand War Pensions Act be amended so that the New Zealand pensions may be made available to men domiciled in New Zealand prior to enlistment and who served with the Imperial or other Empire forces. That it be a recommendation to the Government to re-establish vocational training in connection with T.B. soldiers, particularly at Pukeora, where there are 38 T.B. returned men. In the case of the wives of men in receipt of full pensions for dual disabilities, such as loss of two legs or a leg and. an eye, and who are otherwise organically sound, and who may at any time after their discharge be eligible to receive pensions in cases of serious organic physical disability such as T B

heart disease, etc., and in receipt of a full pension, the conference feels ■ that these marriages are not desirable and that' the wives should not be eligible for pensions.

That the interest from the canteen funds for one. year be used for the purpose of granting relief to dependents of ex-soldiers and providing work for unemployed returned soldiers. That the Government be requested to subsidise this amount £ for £.

That’ the council appoint a deputation to wait upon the members pf the Canteen Board resident in Wellington to stress the resolution.