RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1921, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. RE-GRADING PENSIONS SCHEDULE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. .Dunedin, June 11. The Dominion Conference of the Returned Soldiers’ Association resolved yesterday that the . incoming, executive be instructed to intimate to the Government keen disappointment that by the Anzac Day Aet April 25. is declared a statutory holiday without at the same time making it a close holiday; further, that the executive be instructed to take the necessary steps to secure an amendment of the Act in this direction. Other resolutions congratulated returned soldiers, sailors, and the Imperial League of Australia on the determined stand taken against disloyalists. It was decided to-take no further action in a case in which a- police officer made improper use of a badge, the Commissioner of Police having promised there shall be no recurrence. The R.S.A. discussed the question of pensions, and resolved that the pensions schedule covering specific injuries should be re-graded because of its anomalies. The Government was urged to set up a board of medical experts for re-grading. In view of the financial situation, the conference decided not to press for a 75 per cent, increase of pensions, confining the application, to the ease of pensioners drawing amounts over 50 per cent, of the maximum, and also asked that all temporary pensioners be forthwith re-exam-ined and classified. It was resolved also that the principle which should govern pensions is a sliding scale of £3 10s, this being a fair maximum for 1921. In relation to Harper’s representation of the Association on the pensions board, the following resolution was carried:— ‘’The conference having heard the confidential statement of its representative on the pensions board, and being fully satisfied therewith, congratulate him on his excellent work.