R.S.A.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 4 June 1926, Page 9

R.S.A.

anneal conference.

By Telegraph—Press Association

~,, WELLINGTON, June 3. Hie annual general meeting of tho Donnniou Council of the New' Zealand Returned. Soldiers Association opened today, and was welcomed by the Mayor (Mr J. B Norwood). Jn replying, the president referred to tiie good relations that had always existed between the R.S.A. and the muiueipjil bodies of the Dominion. The Association, lie said, had endeavoured to set its face against taking part in politics,. and against making unreasonable claims upon the Government. At the outset of the proceedings, it was decided, on the motion of Mr W. L. Leadloy, Christchurch, to send a cable message conveying loyal greetings to His Majesty file King, oil behalf of the ox-soldiers of New Zealand, on the occasion of his Gist birthday. Discussion on the annual report w’as deferred until delegates had had time to peruse it. After formal business had been dealt with, various remits were allocated to committees, ami the Council adjourned while the committees deliberate.

'i'lie distribution of canteen and regimental funds, which accumulated during tho war to the amount of 'about £200,000, and which are now controlled by tho Trust Funds Board, was discussed in tho annual report of the Now Zealand .Returned Soldiers’ Association.

AADiilo agreeing in the main that‘the canteen funds should remain intact for tiio present, tho Dominion executive feels that the Association should consider for submission to. the Board somo policy of distribution of at least a part of tile interest being earned by the funds. It has been suggested that the canteen funds might very well be utilised for /the establishment of moreveterans’ homes. Tho report states that there may bo other suggestions, and that undoubtedly the. Association should definitely decide to form a policy which would be of assistance to the Board, cither now or when the timo conics for the fund to bo made use of. ' The. Minister of Internal Affairs, tlio report states, is convening a conference to endeavour to Jay down somo uniform policy with regard to tho administration of patriotic and war funds, and to consider the advisability of a scheme of centralisation. As matters stood at present, a returned man in necessitous circumstances in one- part of tho North Island might ho able to. obtain assistance from a patriotic society, while an identical case in another port ot the Dominion might ho rotused assistance, because the applicant was not in receipt of a war pension. The Dominion executive fools, states the report, that 1) lo Dominion Council’s discussion might well begin upon a suggestion that it is time patriotic moneys wore administered upon a common basis ot service, each case upon its merits. Referring to tho administration ot tho funds, Ihe executive states that it is time- that ex-soldicrs themsehes were allowed more representation upon the various councils, boards or committees. It might bo said that the representatives who have all along been controlling these funds had done so on behalf of the subscribers, the gcnci.il public. It was submitted, howovei, that tho claim for increased representation of the ex-service men was not prejudiced in any way by such a st.itcnlHl that as boryiheiancs txservice men were closely intei-ested ami were capable of giving malm ml -fss.s tance in the administration. .It "as felt that there was a tendency m somo Kll, • 4, flivovt patriotic funds orioinallv subscribed for the benefit of ox-soldiers from the proper o\>i“ The trend of events called foi tho strongest representations to tin. Go rm cut for the appointment ot fnrthe, ox-soblior delegates upon the. Artioii'il War Knuds Council -ii partieulai, to "sure that beneficaries’ interests were unceasingly saleguardcd. '—■ muJ