SOUND PROGRESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19045, 19 June 1936, Page 2

SOUND PROGRESS

SOLDIERS' ORGANISATIONS

LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANCE

"REPORT TO THE OOUNCTI

"Generally speaking, the year utulii review can be regarded in many reaped si as one ot the most interesting and useful in the history of the association. I' cannot be denied that the. progress (bat we have been able to record for some vcars in relation to one or two major objectives has been negligible. Nevertheless, the results of this year have proved that the continued efforts of the association in the interests of the men hail not been altogether wasted." slated the annual report submitted to Ihe Dominion Council of the New Zealand Heturncd Soldiers' Association, held this week in Wellington. "In the last, session of Parliament of the last Government two most important pieces of legislation found their way on to the Statute Rook: the Wat Veterans Allowances Act. for which we are greatlv indebted to the ability and interest of'Mr. J. A. Lee. M.P.. D.C.M.. who. in 1934. introduced a private member's bill embodying the principles of the legislation, and the War Pensions Amendment Act. which partially removes, some of the anomalies we have sought to have remedied for some years. "Next it should be recorded that probably at no time during our history have we been so constantly consulted on matters relating to the ex-service-men by Ministers of the Crown and departmental heads. This at any, rate indicates the proper consolidation of onr position in the community when the interests of the ex-soldier are concerned. "Finally, there is the continued increase in membership which this year has moved from 24,151 to 26.878. This is in a large measure due to the enthusiasm and ability of the executives of the various local associations, but it also betokens a returning interest of the individual and a realisation of the comradeship that our common service brought with it."

EX-IMPERIAL MEN The report went on to deal with the application of the War Veterans Allowances Act, and stated that representations had been made to the Government on behalf of ex-servicemen not yet covered by the Act. It was estimated that there" were some 20.0C0 ex-Imperial servicemen and 3500 veterans of the South African War resident in New Zealand. Many of these men suffered war disabilities, and as they contributed to the general taxation fund it. was considered they should be provided for. The alterations made in the provision for war pensions, were dealt- with in detail in the report. Special reference, was made to the needs of Imperial ex-servicemen resident itr the Dominion, and details were given oF the visit of Mr. F. N. Smith, 0.8. E., who investigated the position in New Zealand on behalf of the British Minister of Pensions. The Dominion executive discussed approximately 150 individual cases with Mr. iSmifeh, and it was believed that the majority of the ex-servicemen concerned Were not fully exercising the privileges .available -to them.