R.S.A.

Southland Times, Issue 18964, 11 June 1923, Page 5

R.S.A.

AUCKLAND CONFERENCE MESSAGE FROM EARL HAIG INVESTMENT OF CANTEEN FUNDS URGED (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 9. The Returned Soldiers’ Conference has received the following message from Earl Haig “It is a pleasure for me to be able to greet my New Zealand comrades, and as Grand President of the British Empire Soldiers’ League, to send them my best wishes, and in doing so I feel I may speak for all their comrades, not only in the Old Country, but throughout the dominions and the colonies of the Empire, the comradeship and spirit of sell sacrifice which was such a great factor in bringing the war to a successful issue is the basis on which the future success of all cx-service associations must rest. I therefore appeal to all ex-service men to stick together, to join their local association, and to insist upon it becoming a member of the British Empire Soldiers’ because it is only by united action that those who are strong and happy and in good circumstances can help their less fortunate comrades.—Haig of Bemersyde.” It was decided that an effort should be made to increase the membership, and the various districts were requested to confer with this object. UNEMPLOYED AND IMMIGRATION The afternoon session was devoted to the consideration of the annual report, which dealt with many subjects which will also be brought forward in the remits. It was decided that tfie Government again be urged to find suitable positions for all disabled unemployed men whose names and particulars have been submitted by the Association. It was thought that the matter should be made one of great urgency on account of the serious position in which these men new found themselves. The Unemployment Committee, which submitted recommendations that were adopted, was of the opinion that private employers were not prepared to find employment for disabled men. As the pension was inadequate, it devolved upon the Government to supplement it with suitable employment to bring the pensioners’ income up to the average standard. It also decided to make urgent representations to the Public Works Department, Forestry Department and local bodies throughout the Dominion with a view to commencing immediately all necessary public works and giving preference of employment to returned soldiers. The Council held the opinion that Imperial migration was the best safeguard for the policy of a “white” New Zealand, for the future defence of the Dominion and for continued ' progress and development. Immigration should at all times be governed by the country’s capacity to absorb such immigrants. The conference therefore urged the Government: (a) To bring down a progressive land policy providing for the immediate development of all unoccupied lands other than those set apart for forestry, whether owned by the Crown or by private individuals, such lands to be made available for closer settlement; (b) to endeavour to obtain from tne Imperial Government a grant of sufficient funds for the training and settlement of Imperial soldiers. The chairman ruled out of order a motion on behalf of the Immigration Committee that the conference recommend the Dominion Association to take steps to establish a New Settlers’ League for the assistance of immigrants on arrival in New Zealand. The conference strongly urged the Government to take more stringent measures against continued Asiatic immigration. SPAHLINJER SERUM. The conference adopted the Otago remit urging the Government to obtain Spahlinjer serum for TJB. patients. It was resolved that the establishment of a War Pensions Appeal Board was urgently necessary, and it was also decided to arrange a meeting of Parliamentarians and to address them on the desirability of the publication of the War Pensions Commission’s report. The incoming executive was recommended to make strong representations to the Department for mdre sympathetic consideration to nerve and T.B. cases when applications were made for pensions some time after discharge. It was resolved to make a strong protest against any change in the observance of Anzac Day. SOLDIER PATIENTS. The conference decided to request the Government to establish a “half-way house” for the borderline mental cases. A general periodical examination of soldier patients in mental hospitals by specialists not attached to any particular mental hospital, was considered necessary and it was resolved to apply to the Department for this. Special efforts are to be made to ensure that the secretary of the local associations will be appointed to an official visiting committee. THE CANTEEN FUND. The conference adopted the report of the Canteen and War Funds Committee, “that the conference is of the fixed opinion that the present corpus of the Canteen Fund, which now aggregates £156,000, should be conserved and a further fund should be allowed to accumulate at compound interests until it reaches £200,000 for the following reasons: (1) That there are sufficient sources of relief to meet current needs and if the fund is made available now there is some danger of the Government and the trustees of war relief funds shirking immediate responsibility; (2) that public opinion is still a factor in determining the action of the Government of the varous bodies which dispense relief; (3) that if any portion of the fund were made available now it would tend to create a desire to participate in the final disposal of the aggregate sum; (4) (a) that a study of the conditions during the aftermaths of previous wars shows a gradual but steady decline in public sympathy and interest in sufferers in such wars, (b) there never has been a war in history in which, as a consequence, the sufferers are likely to experience a greater measure of disability in their declining years, seeing their systems have been subjected to greater shock and upset, (c) that history shows that in their declining years even men who were fit and well have not had such provision made for their care as their services to their country would warrant; (5) that a very large percentage of New Zealand ex-service men suffering disabilities are at present capable of supplementing their pensions, whereas as they decline in years it is probable that their economic capacity will decline proportionately; (6) that a body such as the Returned Soldiers’ Association .must maintain a clear vision, covering the future as well as the proper appreciation of the present.” The committee recommended that the Canterbury remit be passed in the following form: “That the Canteen and Regimental Trust Fund Board be urged to adopt as a principle of policy that the corpus of the fund be invested for a period not exceeding at the most 15 years from the date of the signing of the Armistice.” In addition the committee recommended the adoption of the (Canterbury) remit as follows:' “That in view of the considerable interest held in canteen funds by discharged soldiers, publicity be given to the activities of canteen funds boards.” A recommendation adopted also was the following: “That the Council directs the standing sub-committee to approach the War Funds Council with the object of securing financial assistance for the relief of distress among returned soldiers and dependents, whose cases have not been accepted by the Defence Department or with

special reference to returned soldiers receiving treatment for tubercular disease in civil sanitaria.” The War Funds Committee recommended that the Government be urged to appoint, in addition to Mr Leadley (as promised), a second representative of the Association on the National War Funds Council to be nominated by the executive. 'lTiis was adopted.