GRATUITY DISCUSSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12755, 26 September 1919, Page 5

GRATUITY DISCUSSED.

CHRISTCHURCH MEETING. SOLDIERS AND PROFITEERS The gratuity proposals were discussed last evening by members of the . Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ As- : sociation. Mr N. B. M’Callum pre- i sided, and there was a very large attendance. ; A letter from Captain A. L. Sievwright, referring to the request of the deputation which recently waited on the party leaders, expressed a hope that the Christchurch Association would give the Wellington soldiers its backing. The Ashburtoi Association wrote urging that the period of the gratuity should extend from the date of entering camp to the date of discharge. A circular letter from the association’s headquarters stated that the demand of the Wellington deputation was in direct opposition to the policy laid down by the Christchurch con Terence. Mr M’Callum said that the proposal to pay a flat rate of Is 6d per day had met with general favour, but there were several points which misfit-, lead to discussion and he wished to appeal for unity. Members of the association should sticK together and not break up into parties. Hs hoped that political influences would never be introduced, and they should be on their guard against then. Unfortunately from their standpoint an election was being held this year. Mr A. R. Livingstone moved:—“( 1) That this meeting desires to affirm the dir set ion of conference that the gratuity is a gift and cannot be claimed as a matter of right, and that returned soldien should not seek to influence Parliament with regard to the amount paid cut, or the manner or payment; Cl) chat the meeting desires to express general approval of the proposals brought down and since amplified by Sir James Alien and its sincere appreciation of the gift as an expression or gratitude from the country.” Mr J. I’etherick seconded the motionMr G. Struthers moved as an amendment that the meeting was quite satisfied with Is (id a day if paid by the people, bub was not satisfied with Is fid a day if paid by the profiteer, who had made money while they were away, money sweated cut of the soldiers. Mr J. F. M’Laughlin seconded the amendment. Mr M’Callum explained that, as fax as ho understood, the gratuity was »o be paid out of the surplus, and not by means of further taxation. Ho also pointed out that the scheme had been approved by Parliament. A member; The meeting should have been called before. Mr W. Ei. Leadley said that the gratuity was to com© from a new loan , of Lit), 000,000, I Mr G. W. Lloyd said he thought the rate a very fair mo. ile was content! with Is <kl, though of course he would bo quite willing to accept 4s or 10s. Mr M. A. Richards said that they had heard too much of the gratuity being a free gift. ' They did not want charity. If they could get more than Is 6d from the right quarter, the profiteer, they should do so. After further discussion, the amendment was withdrawn on the understanding that the meeting would be given an opportunity later on of discussing the methods of profiteers. Mi Leadley said that he supported the motion. Mr F. Robson moved as a now amendment :—“ That if the gratuity must be paid by the people of the country, we consider Is 6d a day sufficient, but at the same time consider ih;u means should be available to toe Go/eminent to derive from the war profiteers a sufficient sum to pay as a gratuity the amount asked for by the Weiliigton deputation.” • Mr O’.Kane seconded the amendment, which the chairman declared carried on a show of hands. Mr J- Campbell said that the meeting had made a mistake in mixing up the profiteer question with the gratuity question. First of all he would like to hear some practical plans, such as that of Lieutenant-Colonel G.. Mitchell, D.5.0., for dealing with and 'beating the profiteer on* his own ground. A motion urging that the gratuity should cover the period from the date when a man went into camp until the time of Ills discharge, provided he left New Zealand for active service, %as after a good deal of discussion. • ~ motion was also earned. _ That this meeting protests emphatically against clause 12 under the heading ‘Separation Allowances.’ and ceraands that the clause be deleted.” Tills clause stipulates tha* none of the allowances shall be claimed as at nght.