R.S.A.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 11

R.S.A.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (rSESS ASSOCIATION TELXGSiiI.> M'XEDIX, June 1?. At tLe R.IS.A. Oom'crerico. it was resolved that representations be made to the Exhibition directors to secure the employment; of'partially disabled sulci crs durine the Exhibition. It was Mijijiestcd that lists of suitable men be compiled br the various branches and tonvarded to the Dnnedin branchy The conference aiiirmed the definite policy ut Anzuc observance on Aprn 25th. It was resolved: "'That the conference affirms the principle of the restrictions of the benefits of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act to eligible discharged soldiers, and where a returned s-oldier sells his property the loan should be repaid and not transferred to a civilian; except in the ca.se of an enforced sale by the Crown. Further, the conference affirms the principle that where a discharged soldier holding u loan is transferred to another town or locality, he should not bo debarred from seeming a. fresh advance under the Act to establish his new home." The following remit* were adopted: "That the headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Asocisation ho instructed to take immediate action with a view to securing legislation during the nest session of Parliament to provide for (a) the. payment of pensions to widows of -soldiers who died as a result of war disabilities, . such pensions to bo payable irrespective of date of marriage and irrespective of whether there was a pro-departure engagement to marry or not. (b) "Pay- 1 meiifc of pensions "to disabled soldierswives and children provided that the Pensions Board is satisfied that tho marriage is a bona fide marriage, and irrespective of whether the soldier is in receipt of the full pension or not and irrespective of the date of marriage''—(Canterbury). 'That the Government bo strongly urged to retain the Cashmere tipper sanatorium for the wholo of tho Dominion, and_ that it bo exclusively for military •natients." "That" headquarters lie instructed to communicate with McKay and Co. with a view to obtainins an improvement in the type of artificial legs now being issued to limbless soldiers" — (Otago). . "That this conference urge upon the Government the injustice suffered by some returned soldiers who, whilo not coming within the definition of limbless men, still require to wear leg and other appliances which subject the clothes of the wearer to as much wear as is the case of limbless men. The conference urges that a clothing: allowance should be. granted to wearers of such anpliances"—'(Otago). In connexion with economic pensions, after a lengthy discussion it was derided that' the proposal of Association headquarters be sent hack to the committee'for tho inclusion of the necessary safeguards and for tho provision of the closest co-operation between the Government Departments concerned and the Returned Soldiers' .Association. \ With regard to ex-T.B. soldier patients, it was decided that headquarters bo recommended to put the matter before the proper authorities, and also, to secure tho opinions of chest specialists. ' It was carried: "That this conference views.with alarm the spread of Asiatics throughout tho .Dominion, awl-agam stresses tho urgent necessity-of immediately closing the avenue of entering the country and enforcing aft Alien Restriction'Bill, and to repatriate the greater mimlwr at present resident in New Zealand '! ' Written charges 'made by. Colonel T. W. McDonald in connexion with soldier mental .patients were dealt with privately. "'' . The question of the '-purchase ot poppies for Poppy Day. 1926, was considered in committee'. In connexion with South African and Maori war veterans, it was', decided that the Government be asked to givesympathetic consideration to the claims of veterans of tho South African and Maori wars.

Orgariiaation and Constitution.

A great deal of discussion centred round the organisation and constitution of the Association and the following remits were dealt with: — "That tho present system of district conferences bo abolished, and i' v _ lieu thereof all Associations of one hundred financial members or more be entitled to direct representation at tho Dominion Conference." . _ "That it is not in any way- advisable to make any change in the venue of association headquarters."—(Otago). "That the constitution as to the Dominion Executive Committee remain as at present, but that Rule 4-i bo amended so.that meetings of the committee aro called at the discretion of the Dominion president according to necessity or upon tho request of a majority of the members of the committee." "That tho constitution of the executive standing sub-committee remain as at present." „ "That this conference afnrms its definite, policv that Anzac Day ho observed on Anril 25th."—(Auckland) "That this conference is of the opinion that the Association should continue'its policv of impressing upon tho Government the necessity'of the establishment and maintenance of an ciu-t-ient -defence force."—(Wellington).

Soldier Mental Patients,

Tn connexion with Colonel McDonald's allegations a s to soldier mental patients, after hearing tho report, it was- decided: "That this Council, having considered the report of the standing 6iib-committeo upon the charges roade bv Colonel McDonald against tho Government at a meeting of Wellington' Association, held • -on June 4tli, 11-W4, in connexion with the commitment of returned soldiers to mental hospitals, finds as follows:--Charge one—That irom 1916 to 1910 certain soldiers were illegally detained in mental hospitals for varying; periods in contravention of the'.prnvisious or the Mental Defectives Act, 1911. Finding—That the charge is proved. ' Charge two—That when representations' v.ero made to the Government cm tbe above subject during the period aforesaid, Ministers of Crown misrepresented the position to the Returned Soldiers' Association- and to laiiiament. . ■ ■ . Finding—Tiiafc certain statements made bv Ministers as above were substantially incorrect. • Charge three—That when a Commission was set u n by tho Government, to enquire into the complaint of a certain soldier that he. had been illegallydetained as aforesaid, the Commissioner exonerated the officials who were responsible for the wrong done to the man and stigmatised the complainant as suffering from a form of mental disorder. . „ ~ -, i. Finding—That this Council does not find anv°reason to impugn the bona Gdes of" the Commissioner who investigated'this complaint, but it is satiated that tho whole of the facts were not before the Commissioner, that' the oliiciais concerned took their . original action, although illegal, believing such action to be in" the best interest* or the soldier concerned : that the Wellington Association be informed accordinglv; and that headquarters approach the proper authorities immediately so that ! appropriate action may be taken.

Election of Officers,

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Colonel 'll. Stewart (Canterbury): vice-president, Mr 'W. Perry (Wellington); honorary i treasurer, Mr J. D. Harper (Wellington) : Dominion Executive, Wellington, A. T. Duncan, G. W. Clinkhard. D. J. Munro, Austin, M. A. Aldred, X. A. Yfercoe, W. E. Leadley, H. J. ' Knight, ! '-lil "S. Graham and J, M. ~Whitev ;