N.Z.R.S.A. CONFERENCE

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1236, 26 June 1947, Page 6

N.Z.R.S.A. CONFERENCE

31st ANNUAL MEETING Large Number Of Delegates The 31st annual Dominion Council meeting of the Naw Zealand F.jS.A. was attended in Wellington last week by no less than 252 dei?arates who came from as far north as Monganui county and as far south as Invercargill. Mr. B. J. Jacobs presided, and local branches were represented as follows: Matamata: Messrs. N. I. Higginson. R. J. Larkin. G. G. Griffiths. Putaruru: Mr. P. D. Morrison. Morrinsville: Messrs. W. Swarbrick and W. West water, Cambridge: Messrs. F. H. Grice and C. B. Boyce. Rotorua: Messrs. A. G. St. George and F. W. Sexton. Te Aroha: Messrs. W. G. Barclay and W. A. Gibbons. Western Bay of Plenty: Messrs. A. Voss, A. W. Mullan, J. Aitken and J. Frost. Tile conference was opened by the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Frey'berg, V.C., who received a very warm welcome, and also present •were the Prime Minister. Mr. P. : Frassr, the Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr. C. F. Skinner, and Sir William Perry, M.L.C., past president of the association, all of whom were well receivedThe Dominion president, Mr. Bert Jacobs, welcomed the Governor-Gen-eral and guests, and all were given a warm reception and attentive hearing. The Governor-General stressed the need for a continuation of the policy of the association of steering clear of party politics and stressed the value of such homes for veterans as that at Narrahean, New South Wales. Best Pensions Scheme The Prime Minister stressed that New Zealand had the best pensions scheme and the best Rehabilitation Act in the world, and that nothing within reason would ibe left undene in the job of caring for ex-service-men. Material for housing would be bought anywhere, but transport was a major problem. There was cement in any quantity at Golden Bay, but no ships to bring it even to Wellington. Regarding national service no reasonable person would dispute the principle, and it would do no harm if conscientious objectors were compelled to give some kind of service. However, regarding the principle of compulsory service in general, it was necessary to get the final defence plans before a decision could be made. If he had been in England he would have voted for compulsory service as approved by the Labour Government. The defence system had to be- kept up-to-date and in line with modern research.

•Replying, Mr. Jacobs stated that major points in New Zealand R.S.A. policy was complusory universal service and housing. Regarding the first, the association would never be satisfied until such service became the law of the country. I'n- respect to housing, the president stated that it was possible that the scheme might require longer hours to be worked, and if that was so then those hours should Ibe -worked in view of the seriousness of the situation.

Other major points were for the necessity for an increase in pensions to compensate for increased costs, and preference for ex-service-men. It was quite clear in view of recent happenings that “all things being equal” preference was not being given to ex-servicemen. The conference lasted for four days and tackled over 200 remits.