RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17179, 24 October 1923, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. Tlie fortnightly meeting of tho executive of the Christchurch Returned ! Soldiers’ Association was held last evening, when the president, Colonel H. Stewart, D. 5.0., presided. The secretary reported that the association had been successful in obtaining medical treatment and pensions in some cases where soldiers had developed T.B. five years after their discharge who had nothing on their medical history to show that this trouble was caused through war service. In other cases the Pensions Board had declined to grant, a pension, and an appeal had been lodged with the War Pensions Appeal Board. It was resolved to again urge headquarters of the association to approach the Government, with a view to obtaining an amendment to the War Pensions Act, in order to secure a pension for war widows who had married their husbands over two years after their discharge from the forces. The secretary stated that this reform had been recommended by the recent War Pensions Commission set up by the ’Government, but bad not been given effect to by legislation. Tho president presented a report of the finance committee, who reooinrr.ended that the refreshment room should be Teased for a period of six months to Messrs Rendezvous, Ltd. The terms of the lease were considered in committee, and the report was adopted. Considerable discussion took place regarding the action of the Pensions .Department in deducting a sum cf £l3 from the accumulated pension of de ceased soldiers, on account of burial expenses. The Commissioner of Pensions wrote stating that this practice was carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Department. It was resolved that the secretary should write to the Commissioner Pensions for a. copy of these regulations, and that further discussion on the matter should be adjourned ponding the receipt of same. It was reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made with the Metropolitan Trotting Club regarding the issue of free race passes to badlydisabled soldiers, and soldiers receiving treafcement. at hospital or sanatoria, for war disabilities. The trotting club had agreed to issue these passes through the association in future. Negotiations were being conducted with the Jockey Club, with a view to obtaining similar concessions. ' It was decided that the secretary and two members of the executive should visit tho Upper Sanatorium at an earlv date, in order to explain to the patients the provisions of the War Pensions Amendment Bill recently passed by Parliament. A letter was received from MajorGeneral Wauchope of the Overseas Settlement Committee, which recently toured the Dominion, thanking the 11.5. A. for the assistance it had given him during his stay in Christchurch, and stating that it was a great pleasure to him to find what assistance in every way tlie R.S.A. was giving to exImperial soldiers, a fact which he would certainly report on his arrival in England. Two new members, Mr A. H. Campbell and Mr M. Cummins, were welcomed by the president on joining the executive.