RETURNED SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 23026, 21 October 1936, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS

INVERCARGILL ASSOCIATION. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The three-weekly meeting of the executive committee of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association was held on Monday evening. . Mr A. Kynaston, the president, occupied the chair an dthe following members were present: Messrs J. Roderique, H. Fraser, S. Richards. H. Mackenzie, F. Lange, F. Wright, W. Drake, H. Crawford, W. Stone and J. S. Filippini (secretary). A circular was received from the general secretary stating that a reply had been received from the Mnister of Labour to the resolution of the last Dominion Council, as follows:—“With reference to your suggestion that men over 50 or who are disabled be provided with work of a lighter nature than that usually afforded on Public Works, as you are aware, the scope of such light employment is necessarily limited, but you are assured that my department, through its bureaux and placement offices, will as far as possible reserve such employment for the classes of men referred to. I am also pleased to give the assurance that the claims of the unfit soldier will not.be overlooked and, other things being equal, preference of employment will be given to suitable selected disabled men when any positions involving light work such as messengers, liftmen, cleaners an dcaretakers are offering.” A further circular was received from headquarters dealing with shipping accommodation for ex-servicemen wishing to attend the Coronation next year. Dominion Headquarters stated that it had made exhaustive inquiries of the various shipping companies with a view to the provision of sufficient accommodation at reasonable rates for a party of ex-servicemen and their wives who might desire to attend the Coronation ceremonies. The results of such inquiries were: (1) No special boats were available; (2) no concession in fares was possible owing to the extraordinary demand for passages at the prescribed rates; and (3) there was only limited accommodation available in the vessels which would leave New Zealand in order to reach London in time for the Coronation.

The Stewart Island Returned Soldiers’ Sub-Association, advised that arrangements were being made for the holding of a monster carnival at Stewart Island in May of next year, and it would be pleased if the Invercargill executive would organize a party of ex-servicemen and their friends for a ten days’ tour. The secretary was instructed to take the matter in hand. A circular was received from the reunion committee of the 7th Battery New Zealand Field Artillery stating that the first reunion of the battery would be held in Wellington on Saturday. November 7. The visiting committee reported having paid weekly visits to ex-service-men in hospital. There had been an average of seven patients, and all ap.peared to be malting satisfactory pro-

gress. Messrs H. Mackenzie and H. Fraser were appointed as a visiting committee for the ensuing term.

The president reported having visited Gorge Road recently and was pleased to state that at a well-attended, meeting of ex-servicemen it was decided to form a sub-branch in that district. This made a total of 15 sub-associations affiliated to the association.