REPATRIATION BOARDS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 107, 30 January 1919, Page 6

REPATRIATION BOARDS

QUESTION OF EEPEESENTATION

Associations of returned soldiers, in correspondence with the Repatriation Department, have raised the question that returned soldiers deserve larger representation on district boards' than the Y.M.C.A. The position is that the E.S.A. npd'the Y.M.C.A. of a district have the light to one representative each on such a board

The chairman (the Hon. W. H. Herrie6),of the Central Repatriation Board explains in an official letter that the Y.M.C.A. has been asked to nominate members because of the active interest it Sas always taken in New Zealand's 6oldiers, ■ and because it is largely representative of all sections of the' com.munity. "The problem of repatriation is one that must be solved by all sections of the community, working together," remarks Mr. Herriee, "and so far as the returned soldiers are concerned, it seems to me that all that is necessary is to have them directly represented on each board or committee in order to see that eoch application is justly and equitably considered. It must also bo remembered thai the Eepatriation Department is being .staffed almost exclusively with returned soldiers, and it may safely be assumed therefore that these officers will deal sympathetically with all cases affecting thnir comrades of the Expeditionary Force."

Another point mentioned by the Department is that though the it.S.A. may have- only ono representative on a district board 'by direct nomination, other returned eoldiefs may do on the board I>y the nomination, of other organisations.