R.S.A.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17125, 21 April 1921, Page 8

R.S.A.

ANNUAL REPORT. The fifth annual report of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Asrociation, to be presented at tho annual meeting next iwk, gives an interesting record of the year's activities of tho Association. Tho hundred® of letters of thanks received, the report states, are evidence of the ability of tho et&S, and tho marked success of the Association. After dealing briefly with tho visits of tlx Prince of Wales and Sir William Birdwood, th» reception of tho new Governor-General, ana the honour conferred upon the Christ' church Association by the selection of Messrs H. J. Keiight and V. E. Leadley to repr®. sent New Zealand at tho Empire Conforenos in South Africa, tho report goes on to express satisfaction of the committee at hiving the Association housed in its new coa» modious club rooms. The sum of £ISOO, it is stated, is still needed to enable tho club to be opened free of debt, and the Comina(> cial Trivellers' Association has promised Ml assistance in raising the amount. Dealtof with tuberculosis, the report states that disease presents one of the biggest probiMW in tho succeßfful repatriation of diiiMul soldiers. The need for constant supervttei after it has been pronounced "arrested* to, in consequence of it* complexity, greater Una in any other disability. Since March Slit, 1920, 147 returned soldiers have been (dp mitted into Cashmere Sanatorium. As a suit of representation by the Association h full pension is now granted (or tmh* months alter dischtyse, and in. nearly all cases a supolementary pension as mil. After-care* officers have been appointed in each,district A new policy on an elaborate and efficient scale has bien devised by the Betnrned Soldiers' Association, and has coma mended itself to the approval of tho Government, by which it is proposed to develop a large training farm at Tauhonmikau in various outdoor occupations. By the new poller it is hop«Sl to enable a man to fit his life'# work, and to enable him to obtain a good living for himself and those dependent en him. Dealing with land settlement, it has been decided by the Association, in consequence of—(1) The fall in the prico of primary produce; (2) the prospect of • far* ther drop v'and (3) owing to the consequent drt*p in land values, to adopt a "go slow" policy in soldier settlement; The benefits of the D.S.S. Act, the report continues, havo been extended to include widows of fallen soldiers and nurses. As a result of the representations of the Association the loan for the erection of a new house has been increased from £750 to £9OO, in addition to tho loan for section of £250; and the grant for stock from £SOO to £750. The continuance of war regulations, providing protection for returned soldiers against ejection from rented properties, has been secured until Augpri of tho present year. The Canterbury District Land Board to date has approved'of the purchase .of 1613 houses, involving an . expenditure of £1,150,000; and of the un* ' chase' 0f'825 farms,: involving an expending* - Speaking of limbless, men, the report M> marks that it is gratifying to know thai.tlw Defence Department has accepted resjibM*bility for the .upkeep of invalid chain fot limbless men, and the Association is still pressing for a clothing allowance for ill wearers of artificial applianoes in consideration of the largely increased wear and tear. "It is "very much regretted," the report ( continues, "that' despite the repeated appeals of tho Association the Government hi* steadfastly refused to increase the scale of pensions. There is no greater blot upon the* present Administration than iti faiforo to increase tho pensions of those suffering from their war service: Since the present pcalo was decided upon in 1016 the cost of living has increased by over 70 per cent. It practically every department of civil life tho need of increased income has been recognised and responded tq. Arbitration Courts have declared bonuses commensurate with the increased cost of living; members of Parliament here rightly increased their salaries; but those who suffered in defence of the country, and therefore should have received first consideration, have been almost ignored. It is true that £50.000 was voted to the Pensions Board in the dying moments of Parliament for distribution as the Board saw fit. Whilst days were,devoted to consideration of trivial matters only moments were given to the claims of our war veterans. The Association believes this to be opposed to the will of the people, and returned soldiers must bo prepared to take part in a biff fight before next session of Parliament to obtain justice for those comrades who am suffering from an inadequate . pension £3 a week is insufficient for a totally'disabled soldier. The appeal must now be to tho 'gratitude and humanity of the people in order that the scale may be increased." The report goes on to deal briefly with tlw granting of free passes by the Tramway Board to legless, blind, and paralysed soldiers, for which tho Association's appreciation is expressed, the establishment of tho "Bannerdale Home" for returned soldiers in Papanui road, mental cases, hospital visiting, Anzac Day, and "Quick March," the official journal of tho returned soldiers, and proceeds to say that during tho year 338 new members war© gained, and that th-re aro now 12 other Associations in Canterbury and Westland. In regard to the soldiers' Saturday socials, the report states that out of a balance of £319, the committee was able to present a new piano, costing £192, to tho new club. Referring to the Citizens' Defence Corps, tho report says:—"After nearly six years of splendid service, well and sucoesFfully rendered, this noble corps has demobilised. The returned soldiers of Christchurch and their dependents have cause to be grateful for services rendered by the C.D.C. It was this corps which brought the Christchurch B.S.A. into existenoe, and provided it with accommodation. A joint committee of the C.D.C. and returned soldiers, with tho Mayor (Mr H. Holland, 0.8. E.) as chairman, constituted tho Board of Management of what was probablv the first Beturned Soldiers' Club in >'tow Zealand. When the club wts transferred to Gloucester street, tho C.D.C. very generously paid tho rent of the rooms until August, 1919. Tho Association tenders its thanks for all the help received." The annual balance-sheet shows a balance on tho exnenditure and income account of £2581 9s Bd.