REPATRIATION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16422, 16 January 1919, Page 8

REPATRIATION.

• \ ' 4THE PROPOSED BOARDS. The executivo of the local branch of the Returned' Soldiers Association, at its meeting on 'luesday night, received a letter from thd Dnector Repatriation, to the effect it was proposed to establish in each military ] centre a Repatriation Board, consist-, ins: of one member each from various local bodies, inclining the Chamber ol Commerce, the Industrial Association, the Trades and Labour Council, tne Returned Soldiers' Association, ana several others. , . The matter was- fully diBCUSEed _ by the executive, and as a result deliberations, the following letter lias been forwarded by the secretary of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers Association, Mr W. E.Leadley, to the Director of Repatriation, Mr J. Samson: . \ "My executive desires roe to state, that it is very strongly convinced that one person to represent the interests of returned stfdiers on the Repatriation Board, is totally inadequate. We would point out that our present membership is over two thousand, and that within a short time it will be more' than double that number. Surely the amouAt of representation should ■ be based on the strength and importance of the organisations represented, borne associations which are entitled to send one representative to the Board are not one-tenth of our strength. further, the returned Boldiers feel the acuteness of the problem far more than any other association, as we are in continuous contact with it. Indeeci, it is our problem which ha.s to be solved, and W6 feel tliat on* point of vievr will be of vital value to the Repatriation Board. My executive is of the opinion that ,at least one other representative should be granted to the Association, and in making this claim, it is felt that we are not asking for any undue favours, but for just §fld fair representation of returned soldiers on the Board." _ The Association was invited to normnote lliree members' for membership on the Board'; it being understood that onl,v one of the gentlemen nominated would be elected, and the choice of the local Association fell upon the president, Mr N. B. McCnJlum, the secretary, Mr W. E. Leadley, and the Rev. W. Walker. ■