RETURNED MEN OF 1914-18

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 7

RETURNED MEN OF 1914-18

ASSOCIATION IN INVERCARGILL STRENGTH OF MEMBERSHIP MAINTAINED A successful year in which the membership had been well maintained was reviewed at the annual meeting of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association on Saturday night. The retiring president (Major H. C. Mackenzie) was chairman. During the year the association has been called to face many new problems due to the outbreak of war, stated the annual report. Several members have offered their services to serve overseas, but very few have been accepted, being debarred by age limit, and war disabilities. However, the home front required protection and this is where the returned ex-serviceman’s services are mainly being used, and they are making a first-class job of it. Outside of ex-servicemen very few people realize just what war means, and unless this is fully understood there is a danger that our maximum effort may not be exerted. The facilities of our club rooms have been made available to members of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and many availed themselves of the privilege during their final leave. A band of patriotic spirited women were granted permission to use the club rooms for the purpose of giving morning and afternoon teas and also parcels of hand knitted socks, hold-alls and cigarettes to members of the Ist and 2nd Echelons while on their final leave. The association was represented at the civic farewells to the troops before their departure overseas. An assurance was given them that tbeir interests during their absence and on their return will be safeguarded by the Returned Soldiers’ Association. The number of financial members on the roll at the close of the 1939-40 financial year was 1097, compared with 1105 the previous year. During the year we lost, through death, a ‘number of our members, while a number of others were transferred to other districts. We wish to place on record our tribute to the officers and members of the subassociations at Otautau, Winton, Tuatapere, Riverton, Drummond, Bluff, Edendale, Orepuki, Ohai, Wyndham, Lumsden, Stewart Island, HedgehopeMabel, Gorge Road, Southern Districts and Kennington, for their co-operation in maintaining the interest among the returned ex-servicemen in their territory.

The peak year of this association’s membership was in 1919-20 when the membership stood at 1660. A few years later, the membership fell to below the 200 mark, but today the returned men are giving the association the support it requires to enable it to carry on with th good work. It is also gratifying to note that the membership of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association is over the 33,000 mark.

PENSION APPLICATIONS Every year sees an increase in the pension work of the association. This is only to be expected because returned men are now getting to the stage where, through the stress and strain of war service, their health is being considerably impaired. The most difficult cases are the ones where the man was discharged as fit and who is now endeavouring to associate his present disabilities as being due to the result of war service. Before finally forwarding such applications to the War Pensions Board 'or consideration, it is necessary to obtain medical evidence supporting such claim, and also as much evidence from persons who have been in contact with the claimant since his return from active service, as can possibly be obtained. Other valuable evidence is that of copies of chemists’ prescriptions of medicines and so on, which may have been prescribed for the claimant since his discharge from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force up to the time of lodging pension application. The War Pensions Board, comprises Messrs T. E. Y. Seddon, as chairman, J. D. Harper as Returned Soldiers’ Association representative, and Dr Marshall Macdonald. This board deals'with all claims in Wellington. In the event of the ex-serviceman’s application not being accepted by the War Pensions Board as being due to or aggravated by his war service, an appeal may be lodged against such a decision. The case is then listed to come before the War Pensions Appeal Board comprising Sir Walter Stringer, as president, Dr G. N. Barnett, department’s representative and Dr W. J. Porteous as Returned Soldiers’ Association representative. This board usually sits in Dunedin about every three or four months. Cases going before this board require a considerable amount of preparation. This board has the power to uphold or dismiss the appeals after having medically examined the appellant and considered the latest evidence submitted on his behalf.

During the past year the War Pensions Appeal Board held three sittings in Dunedin. Of the 27 cases that went forward from the association, it is pleasing to report that 13 were successful in being upheld. The War Pensions Board visited Invercargill ' during. November and examined and interviewed 40 waxpensioners. In some cases the disability rate of pension was increased, while 35 temporary pensions were made permanent.

It may be of interest to know that the yearly payment of war pensions m New Zealand amounts to over £1,600,000. It is pleasing to note that the economic pension payable to the soldier has been increased to the rate of £l/10/- a week; for the wife £1 a week and for children under 16, 10/- a week. The war veterans’ allowance has been increased to 25/- a week, and may be, at the board’s discretion increased another 5/- up to £l/10/- a week. The payment to the wife in this case is 15/- a week, but at the board’s discretion may be increased by a further 5/- a week up to £1 a week. The pension payable to the children under 16 is 5/- a week up to four children only. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said the association had enjoyed a good year. The outbreak of war had added to the responsibilities of the association and in addition to the work for members a great deal‘had been done for the troops who had joined up for overseas service. The club activities had been maintained in the various fields and members had been well catered for. He expressed his appreciation of the work of 1 the staff during the year. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Dr A. Owen-John-ston; vice-president, Mr P. L. Hodge; honorary treasurer, Mr W. Stone; executive, Major H. C. Mackenzie, Messrs H. Fraser, J. Roderique, R. Aitken, H. Crawford, R. Grieve, A. Kynaston, H. Ritchie and M. Roderique; representative on the Southland War Funds Association, Mr J. S. Filippini; auditor, Mr H. R. Willcox. A vote of appreciation was passed to Major Mackenzie for his services as president.