RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 173, 16 April 1919, Page 8

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE< BUSINESS By Telegraph-Press Association, Cliristchurch, April 15. The Dominion executive of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association which met in Wellington at the weekend, many questions of national importance. An official report of the business done stales that the question was raised whether the association could give its official support to tho canliid.iture of returned soldiers in municipal elections. The executive resolved that while the association was of opinion that returned men as citizens should have a keen interest in civic affairs, the association as an organisation could not officially support a particular candidate, as such action would involve the Returned Soliders' Association in party politics.

The Repatriation Department was keenly criticised, and the executive recorded its disappointment with the working of the Ministerial Board during the past three months, and reaffirming its opinion that one Minister, instead of four, should have been ihe head of the Department. The Government was censured for the ions delay of four years in the establishment of this Department, despite reminders years ago about the need of action.. More than two years ago the Reli.nted Soldiers' Association tried in vain tn induce the Government to move. It was complained that as one result of this laggard lack of imagination disabled and rartiallv disabled men were suffering today. It was held that the Ministerial Repatriation Board had not yet a proper national statesmanlike policy of reconstruction, but was groping for guidance. This criticism exonerated the district, boards and local committees from blame. It was admitted that they were ooing their best under the difficult conditions caused by the inertia of the central bodv.

II was mentioned 'liar, _ numbers of men had been misled by signing a ce'rtificale issued by the Defence Bopartnieiit, in which the soldiers before discharge stated that they were not suffering any disability due to the war. After discharge some of these men found that t.hev were not as free from war effects as thev had imagined but they had an impression that they had signed away their pension rights. "Mr. J. D. Harper, the Returned Soldiers' Association's representative on the Pensions lioard. said it had been laid down as a. principle that a soldier had a right to claim a pension at anv time within seven years after his, discharge, and that such rights were not discounted in any way by the signing of anv statement. Mr. Harper also stated that arrangements were in progress to minimise delays following applications for pensions as a result of the rapid return of large numbers of men.

It was decided to obtain the opinion of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association on the action of the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. \Y. Russell) in preventing the trustees of the, remainder of the Countess of Liverpool Fund at Cliristclnire.li from making a grunt of .£3OOO Wards the establishment of a returned soldiers' club in that city. The executive resolved that. it «onltl nor, support the Dominion Trentliain Art Union scheme to provide -scholarship? for soldiers' children. The meeting recorded its opinion that it was tho dutv of the Government-to provide special educational facilities for every child whose father had lost his life in the war. 'Members declared that the Government had too great a tendency to allow its responsibilities to be taken over by t atretic societies or other organisations ot citizens. It was decided to congratulate the Government on Hie establishment of war bursaries for returned soldiers with tho money held bv the National War Funds Council. It, was agreed that this actim was a proper use of such a national fund. The executive reaffirmed the resolution that the sentences passed on objectors and other military defaulters should fco served in full. ... A resolution was passed urging the Government to make immediate provision for poultry-keeping, bee-keeping, , and other comparatively light occupations on land suitable for partially-disabled men. It was decided to invite seven farmers noted for their success in various kinds of farming to co-operate with the. committee of the Now Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association at tho Dominion Conference next month in the formulation ot a policy for the guidance of the Government. The executive■recorded lt.s belief that returned soldiers should not be kept cut of employment by the retention of women in positions normally filled by men. At tho same time the meeting agreed that any measures necessary in this respect we're an ovidenco of the Government's failure to open up sufficient avenues or employment to assure useful occupation for all willing workers, men and women. Complaint was made that while some employers wero giving fair consideration to returned soldiers, particularly -partiallydisabled men, a proportion of employers wero not fulfilling their.promises. Their attitude showed that they had not. the least gratitude for the soldiers' service overseas. j politicaTplatform TO BE SUBMITTED TO DOMINION CONFERENCE. By TcleKranli.—l'rc" Association. Auckland, April 15. At' a general meeting of (he Auckland branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association to-night, attended by .150 members, a political platform submitted' by a special committee was adopted for submission to the New Zealand Conference as a remit. The main features of the platform are:-(l) Immediate steps to be taken to fit all limbless men with artihcial limbs. (2)Absolute preference by tho Government to returned.soldiers; that all military appointments be filled by active service men; that legislation be passed compelling private employers to reinstate returned men; and that no alien be employed to the detriment of returned men. (jtt Affirmation of the principle cf equal pay for equal work. • (4) Various suggestions regarding land settlement, including the following:—That tho Government set aside blocks of unimproved land, subdivided inttf' suitable areas, allocate it to intending occupiers, and retain the area to be improved by tho occupiers of other sections, under the supervision of an instructor appointed by the district km'.' board; while employed on improving the Government sections the men to be paid the current rato of wages; the instructors to report to the district land board as to whether or not. a man is likely to become a successful settler.

The platform also dealt with pensions, financial assistance, Asiatic immigration, and enemy aliens. The committee staleo.' that its recommendations were based primarily upon the hypothesis that, the most important national • business at the. moment is a satisfactory settlement of matters affecting returned men, as outlined in the platform. Immediately different aspirants for political honours eomc out they should be presented by a deputation, with o copy of the nlntform and asked if they will support it: in the event of their election. Should the answer_ be in the affirmative, then, not necessarily for publication, but as n guarantee of good faith, the candidate will 'be nsketf to give answers in writi"g to the three questions following, viz.: "fin you consider the immediate settlement of the questions of satisfactory repntrintion. a just settlement of the mutter relating to pav, pensions and Ml-'wanccs, oud an adequate adjustment of returned soldiers' grievances the most innwHit matters now before the country?" "flavins examined t.h" political pint form put forward on behalf of returned soldiers by I heir association, will you pledge yourself to support it in the event of your being electee?"

" T u the-event of a vole of no-cqnlidence V"i"" moved on account of the Govcrnnicut's refusal to grant the above or IVir failure to carry out their pledges after having given an assurance, will you vote against the Government?"

The 1017 Indian ten crop exceeded that of the previous vear, being 350,000,0001b.. against 315,000,0001b.