THE R.S.A.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 26, 28 February 1920, Page 26

THE R.S.A.

Premature Discharge. THE A.R.S.A. is to be conapended for the* persistence it has shown in fighting the case of an invalid Sergeant-Maj or who was discljirged and put on full pension while he remained a patient, and with an operation ahead of him. A prominent surgeon has given a certificate to the effect that the sergeant-major was and still is quite unfit for work of any description. Accordingly tke Association has asked the Department for an inquiry which the Association shall have the right to call medical evidence. * * * Economy. The opinion has.been expressed that the policy of the Department in oases, where a soldier's pay exceeded the amount of a full pension was to discharge the men as quickly as possible and put them on a pension. This allegation has been seriously made by Mr. E. F. Andrews, who is in a better position to judge of these matters than most returned men. The. s&ggestion, of course, is that it is "part of the Department's pol- '- icy of economy. r *, * *" Where There Is Waste. One would have imagined that much greater economies" couW have been effected, to say nothing of the increased efficiency produced, if all the "duds" in the Department were sought out and demobilised. To look at some branches of the staff, one would imagine that their purpose was to be a polite form of charity. Clerks are swarming everywhere, and heaven knows what they find to do. One can only imagine that they fill in the time by keeping rolls of eire a-HO'ther. ■L • * A Friendly iraw Suit. The R.S.A.-; it is understood, is bringing a friendly action against the Pensions Department to decide whether the wife of a man who is in receipt of a pension automat laally qualifies for .tone "in such lesser amount," etc. Some wives will receive an agreeable surprise should the caee go against -ffie Department.

MILITARY FUNERALS.

An instruction issued by Defence Headquarters states that a special effort should be made to obtain the services of a bugler from the Territorials or Cadets for all military funerals. Such attendance may be •oxynted towards the discharge of training obligations, and, in special cases, trben th-j duty is performed «t pergonal loss, a special payment may be authorised, at the discretion of the o'fcoer gosnmanding district, up to Ss. for each aTtendance This apparency is the outcome of complaints ef the A.R.S.A. on tli subject.

REGIMENTAL BADQEB.

Advice ha* been received by the Defenc* Department from England of the shipment of a large number of regimental badges, but until, the badges arrive in the Dominion information cannot be furnished a* to the number of each «lace of badge Being forwarded. Aβ soon as the badges ar* received and checked, particulars as to beri available and prices will be furnished to the units concerned. Further, it is advisable that all units will, in future, place their orders for regimental badge* through tike ordnance officer of the district, in order that supplies may be obr tamed 'by the Department in bulk at fch* most economical ratty ■

WAR CEMETERIES.

The Minister of Defence has ap : proved of the setting up of a special committee to deal with all matters concerning war cemeteries and the erection of head-stones on war graves, the personnel of the committee to be:—The Minister of Defence, Major-General Sir A. H. Russell, Brigadier-General G. S. Richardson, Mr. J. Hislop (TJnder-Sec-retary, Department of Internal Affairs), and Lieutenant-Colonel J. G. Roache, Officer in Charge Base Records, who will also act as secretary. Correspondence in connection with war-' graves will in future be addressed "Secretary, N.Z.E.F. War Graves Committee, General Headquarters, Wellington."

RETURNED SOLDIERS PRE- ' FERRED.

New that a reduction in the temporary personnel of the Defence Department is being carried out, consequent upon demobilisation, heads of branches at headquarters and officers commanding districts have been instructed to give preference to men who have served overseas in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the matter of employment in the Defence Department. It must, of course be recognised that the suitability of the individual for the particular work must receive careful consideration, in the interests of efficient administration. Oh yes!