RETURNED SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 20205, 16 June 1927, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS

DOMINION CONFERENCE. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, June 15. The Returned Soldiers’ Association Conference carried the following remits after a little discussion:— Asking for a statement from the Minister of Lands as to the possibility of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act being reopened for housing purposes at an early date. Reaffirming the policy of the association for the subdivision of suitable areas of Crown Lands when the present leases are terminated. Protesting against the proposal of a section of the farmers that preference to returned soldiers at the land ballots be removed. That when a soldier is unable to pay both principal and interest in full, but can pay the interest, he may, at the discretion of the Land Board, be allowed the usual rebate on interest. Special recommendations were adopted regarding the Ngaromatu Kaihere soldier settlement, while it was further recommended that the South African veterans should be ?iven the same privileges under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act as returned soldiers from the Great War. It was resolved as regards housing that as payments are made they be ear-marked for loans for housing to soldiers who did not avail themselves of the privileges when the scheme was in force. It was also decided to urge the Government to make provision for disabled returned soldiers (“wingies”) by providing work as lift attendants, night watchmen or messengers in the Government Departments.