RETURNED SOLDIERS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19662, 23 August 1935, Page 9

RETURNED SOLDIERS

WAIKATO ASSOCIATION. QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING. DISCUSSION OF ACTIVITIES. The quarterly general meeting of the Waikato Rctiurned Soldiers' Association was held at the Waikato Winter Show Hail lust evening, when the president, Mr Clayton Greene, presided. In his opening remarks to tho good attendance of members Mr ClaytonGrocne stated that the quarterly meetings were being held at tho requisition expressed at the last annual meeting. The purpose of tho meetings would he to report on the various activities taking place and lo keep members in touch with what was boitig done toy the executive. During the lust three months, elated the chairman, the effeot* of tho -Mortgage Corporation in regard to soldier settlers had received tho attention of tho executive. H was felt that mortgages arising under the Discharged Soldiers Act were of the special nature, and there was no doubt that the Returned Soldiers’ Association was in a position to sec that special consideration was given to soldier settlers, The New Zealand Association had received word from the Right Hon- Mr Coates to the effect that no soldier settler would toe sold tup without the authority ot the Minister of Lands. It was possible, Mr Clayton-Greene said, that the Court of Review would view all cases in the most sympathetic lightFlock House TrainingThe Cambridge branch *of the association had taken up the matter seriously and a conference was to be held in Hamilton to consider the position more thoroughly. Delegates had been appointed to attend the conference. In regard to the Flock House farm training institution the' Waikato Association was responsible for one trainee at present at the institution, while another trainee under nomination from the association would toe commencing training at Flock House in August. In making reference to the generous gift of Mr F. W. Burley the chairman stated that the executive and a special sub-committee, after going thoroughly into the matter and examining the property donated, had realised that the proposition was impossible for Hie association to handle- The limited resources 'Of the association was ono factor affecting the decision, while the special conditions under which the property had been donated had tied tho- hands of the assoclaition in making practicable use of the gift. Considerable work would be entailed in bringing all the property into cultivation and this would require no small ,measure of expenditure. It had been very difficult indeed to turn the proposition down after Mr Burley’s fine gesture tof generosity.'' ■ _ A communication had been received from the Waikato Regiment in regard to Die regimental colours. It was indicated that in order to preserve the colours it would be necessary to replace them with new colours, and for this purpose a fund had been opened. It was staled by the chairman that it had been fell by the executive that the funds of the association could not be utilised for the purpose set out by the communication. However, members could lake individual action In the matter. War Veterans Aot. It was being endeavoured by some members of Parliament, with the active co-operation of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, to bring forward legislation which would have the effect of bringing down the age at which a pension would bo paid- The association bad been given to understand that there was every possibility of a War Veterans Act receiving the sanction of Parliament al the next session. The New Zealand Association had received a communication from tho Postmaster-General indicating that lie was agreeable to ttie issuing of an Anzac commemoration stamp, provided that the association could produce a suitable design. It was proposed that the stamp should sell at 2d, Id of which would be devoted to form a fund for the relief of distress among returned soldiers, the fund to be administered by the headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Suggestions for the design of the stamp, either in word, photograph or sketch, were required from ail exservico men by September 1, and a prize would bo awarded to the successful ontrant. ‘ Entries were to be forwarded to the headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. In ills concluding remarks the chairman made an appeal to members to endeavour to attract new members to the association. The membership was increasing in all parts of the Dominion, and If a certain total could be reached the association would then be in a position to dictate its wishes. In the subsequent disoussion on the various activities of the association it was moved by Mr R. D. McFarland that the benefits of the National Expenditure Adjustment Act he made to extend to loans under the Discharged Soldier Settlers Act, interest to be charged at 4 4 per cent. The motion was carried unanimously.