R.S.A.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16927, 29 December 1922, Page 9

R.S.A.

THE YEAR’S WORK. The year 1922 has been one of continued activity for 'Christchurch R.S.A. Since Arjil l last 150 new members and a large o i honorary have added to the local association. and a new sub-branch has been formed at Cheviot. The Christchurch Association is now the largest branch or tr>e R.S.A. in the Dominion, having a lead of almost 000 finan<?ial members over the next- largest branch. Tire greatest problems which have , confronted the association during tlie past year have been: t. —U nemployment. 2. —Attributability. 3. Revaluation of soldier settlements. L—-Increased war pensions. f nemployment.—At one period during the winter months there were close on 200 returned soldiers out of employment in Christchurch, the majority of whom were married men with families to support. By working in conjunction with the North Canterbury Unemployment Committee, waiting on public bodies and Cabinet Ministers, with a view -to providing more work, and by the raising of Poppy Day and unemployment funds to pay for work done in the public gardens and else- \ where, the number of unemployed re- 1 turned soldiers has gradually been reduced until to-day it stands at about : 50 or GO. ATTRIBUTABILITY. Almost every week fresh cases have ,|€p n reported to the association of men breaking down in health on account of their war experiences, but being unable to definitely prove to the defence authorities that their disability originated on war service, or was aggravated thereby. It has been stated by the Minister of Defence that all cases where there is a reasonable doubt, are sent into hospital for observation. and are given a pension 1 he experience of this association, however, has been that medical certificates supplied in support of such cases by local doctors, have been of no avail, unless they have substantiated the evidence on the medical history file of the soldier. It is to be hoped that the new Parliament will pay more serious attention to this important subject than has been accorded to it in the past. This association believes that all men who break down with 'l' B neurasthenia, or any other disability

due to war service, .should receive medical treatment, and pensions, from the department, and that ail cases of doubt should be submitted to an i?jdopendent medical appeal board, consisting of one medical man nominated bv the appellant, the local A.D.M.S with a magistrate a.s ohainnan. LAND SETTLEMENT. The association lias found that soldiers who were settled on the land hv tile Government when land prices were at their peak, are now in crave difficnlties. and it is convinced that nothing fehort or the revaluation ot soldier settlements, will relievo the position, and enable those men who are undoubtedly stniggling against enormous difficulties. to carry on. The association recently secured from the Government the appointment of Land Revision boards, and the Canterbury Board, which consists of Air R. Latter, of I igeon and Mr T. L. Dart, of limarn, is now visiting soldier settlements m Canterbury, with a view to investigating the position of the settlers, and ad vising the Government u liat further assistance is necessary in each case. The association has also been assisting returned soldier fanners To improve t heir dairy herds, and with tins object in view have been able to supply farmers with pure-bred Friesian and Holstein bulls on easy terms. PENSIONS. The association recently secured the appointment of a Government commission to inquire into its claim lor increased pensions for badly disabled soldiers. soldiers’ widows, and widowed mothers. This commission sat for five days in Wellington taking evidence, and it lias now presented its report to ( abinet. It is understood that thi-i report is favourable to the association’s claims, and it is ho]>ed that as soon as Parliament meets, legislation will be passed giving effect to the recommen-

dations of the commission. IMPERIAL SOLDIERS. During the year a large number of Imperial soldiers have come to the Dominion under the Overseas Settlement; scheme. Letter* of welcome have been forwarded to each Imperial man arriving in the city, and he lias been invited to join the association. Manr have done so. and an Imperial Soldiers* Committee has been formed to deal with problems which affect soldiers from the Old Country particularly A decision was arrived at by the association recently to supply any Imperial soldier, who intends to immigrate to this coin-, try. with up-to-date information con corning tlie social and economic conditions prevailing in the Dominion today. FREE RAILWAY PASSES When the two New Zealand delegates to the Empire Conference of exService Men, held at C ape Town last year (Mr H. J. Knight and Mr V\ E. Loadley) were passing through Australia, they found that in South Austinlia limbless men were given tree passes on the railways. On their return they advocated strongly that a similar concession should be made to New Zealand limbless soldiers, and as The result of representation made to the Government by the R.S A., free passes for life on the railway have now been granted to all men who are in receipt of full permanent pensions for motor disabilities, and first-class passe; at second-class rates have been grant'd tc all soldiers who are in receipt of permanent pensions of over 50 per cent, for similar injuries. The association has been continuously engaged with the difficulties of individual members, and a large number of these have been successfullv dealt with during the year. The le* ters of thanks from individual members for services rendered by the as sociation, which are continually coming tc# hand, are abundant proof that th“ association continues to perform nil important and useful service for its members. THE SOCIAL SIDE During the year the Soldiers’ Satur day evening dances have continued to be a success, both socially and liman dally. These dunces have now be come known throughout Canterbury ter their high standard, and mar*, enjoy nble evenjrvijc b•:*-*» been spent during the winVer months. The R.U.A. billiard team has wvj every billiard and snooker trophy opsi tor competition in the district. This year it has gained the premier position in the Christchurch Billiard l.eague. A series of outdoor sports matches hare bemi arranged between the R.S.A and th« Commercial Travellers’ Association. These matches cover cnckcy tennis and bowls, and they will i>? piayed r.-.inualT for r» silver cup kindUprdseuted by Messrs A. Dey and H Three- An effort, is also being made to arrange an annual football match ho*;ye*-ii i i t i tciiurch and Dunedin jV: ui iuM -.oldie r>. Thn \ 11■ i la v ' memorial service l'-*'* fca» vai, Ciivl veui’iuUic

I King Edward Barracks, lias now he come recognised as the citizens’ m • morial service. On April 25 last tins J service was attended by 10.000 people • Next Anzac Day an effort is to >e I made to secure the attendance of hit j Excellency the Governor-General. Vi* ' count Jelliooe. and General Sir An j drew Russell, K.C.M.G., who is the I Dominion president of the association. Thn executive of the association j extends to all members its liefer ties t j wishes for a bright and prosperous New Year.