RETURNED SOLDIERS CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 213, 3 June 1919, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS CONFERENCE

CONCLUDING SITTING. Bj TelegraDh—Press Association. Christchurch, June 2. At tho Returned Soldiers' Conference to-day the chairman Baid he lmd received uotico of a motion that conference should resent the ambiguity of tho Gazette notice relating to the suing of. returned soldiers for debt, and should express the opinion that the inference that returned men needed protection in this direction was distinctly discreditable. In discussion it was pointed out that tho regulation was likely to bo ft boomerang measure, like the prohibition of distraining on returned soldiers for rent. Ultimately it was decided that the executive should take' legal advice, and watch carefully the effect of all regulations or legislation dealing with legal processes. The general secretary reported that there was a surplus of .*BIOOO accumulated canteen funds from the Trentluim and other camps, and the Minister of Defence had asked for a. recommendation. The executive suggested that the funds should form the nuclous of a pension fund for dependants of soldiers who died during the epidemic, and were not otherwise eligible for pensions. This was agreed to. A robust declaration of unity was made this morning on a matter brought up by Mr. Miller, of Taieri, who read a special report sent from Christchurch to (The Dominion, Wellington, hinting at a split in tho ranks consequent on the dissatisfaction of' Auckland members with the basis of representation. The correspondent had statod that Mr. Andrews, of Auckland, had hinted that within a year there would be a new returned soldiers' organisation in New Zealand, _ whioli would in all probability bo affiliated to an organisation in Australia. Mr. Miller said ho considered nothing had been said that would suggest such a probability as was inontioned, and tho association should disclaim it.

Mr. Dalliousie, bfi Auckland, moved:— "That having regard to the article in The Dominion, conference denies tho suggestion that there is any grave dnngor of a split owing: to a report of the Organisation Committee, and is of opinion that Mr. Andrews has been misrepresented." lfc said tho mailer wwlTq wilful and deliberate attempt to create dtiscord. The nmtion was carried after a number of members had spoken in a similar strain. , On Ml'. M'Cnllmn's motion it was decided to increase tho hcndouarlers levy to 45., half to bo naid Ivick to tho district committees for organisation po«M. The confercnco conclude<l shortly after 11. o'clock. Tt was resolved to meet next year in Wellington.