RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 265, 5 August 1919, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS

MEETING OF THE DOMINION EXECUTIVE

The quarterly meoting of the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was hold during tho week-end. The sessions, which were opened at 2 p.m on Friday, occupied three full days. There were present:—• Dr. B. Boxer (president), Messrs. C. W. Batten (vice-president), J. D. Harper, II J. P. Aldrich, K-. 13. Bell, and A. Curtayne (Wellington), B. J. Jacobs (Palmerston North), S. A. Cowles (Wairarapa), W. Pollock (Auckland). A S. Laing (Dunedin). T. Miller (Taieri), H. Scott (Tilnaru), N. B. M'Oallum, and W. E. Leadlev (Christchurcn), L S. Graham (Invercargill), D. J. B. Seymour (general secretary), Lieut-Colonel'Mitchell (Wellington district organiser). Apologies -for absence were received from Messrs. E. 1 1 . Andrews and T. Long (Auckland). Tho resignation of Mr. M'Lean (Otago), as a vice-president, was accepted with regret, and referred hack to the Otago District Committee for a nomination.

The greater part of Friday afternoon and evening'saession was taken up with arranging the subject matter of the representations made to Cabinet by the executive on Saturday morning. _ ■ Questions of the association's financial and internal organisation were dealt with at length. The Board of Management of "Quick March" presented a report which wa6 regarded • as very satisfactory. The chairman (Mr. Harper) also announced the resißiiation of Mr. L. S. Fanning as associate-editor as from September. On the motion of Messrs. Bell and Batten. the following resolution was earned unanimously:—"That the Dominion Incentive of the X.Z.R.S.A., now in seeaipn, places on record (1) its high appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the association and to its official organ- by Mr. L. S. Fanning in his capacity as associate-editor of "Quick March," and '2) its sense of regret that circumstances have arisen which in Mr. Fanning's opinion make it advisable for him to resign his position." Mesdames Mathew Holmes and Chatfield attended as a deputation representine the Women's National Reserve, to enlist the. association's support in erecting a national memorial chapel in ,the soldiers' cemetery at Karori They outlined their proposed scheme, details of which have been published already, and submitted plans for the "lay out" of the cemetery. The ladies were thanked for their Work and interest in the matter, and. after discussion, it was decided that the association take no direct action in the matter, but assure the Women's National Reserve of its support. The following affiliations of new associations were approved:—Waiuku, Wood.ville and district, Waipawa, Levin, Te Awamntu, Whakatane County, Waihi, and Opotiki county. • A protracted debate took place on the question of the action taken, by the Auckland association in connection with political action. Finally the following motion. moved by Messrs. Batten and Miller, was agreed to:—"That the sub-com-mittee on receipt of the Auckland political platform (which is hereby requested) forward to each local association a verbatim report of the discussion on political action at the Christohuich conference. and that local associations be asked to call by written notice general meetings to discuss the matter. The Auckland association is requested to forward to headquarters copies of every ciroular or communication forwarded to local associations." . The president, stated that Major-Gen-eral Sir Andrew Russell had agreed to the request that he should, on the association's benalf, inspect the soldiers' settlements in and around his district. The announcement was cordially received, and at the general's suggestion an order of reference was prepared for his guidFollowing the request of the Minister of Defence when answering the representatives of the executive on Saturday, a detailed list of tho requirements arising under the principle of retrospection wa6 arranged, and ordered to be forwarded to Sir James Allen. On the motion of Messrs. Scott and Batten it was resolved to ask the Gov> eminent to make arrangements to exempt returned soldiers from fines in connection with stamp duty on land, and arising out of delay for which tho soldier is not responsible. A letter from the Hawero. association suggesting that life members should _be admitted on payment of a subscription of £5 was referred to the next conferencß . .. . A discussion arose on the present action of the Defcnco Department in remitting fines imposed on soldiers on active sorvico. Strong exception was token by the executive to the extreme Jeniency displayed in remitting severe fihes imposed as a result of imprisonment with bard labour, thus condoning the offences, and making the men eligible for admission into tho 11.5.A. by virtue of the fact that such remissions cleared their characters. It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Laing and Harpei". —"That the Minister's attention bo drawn to the fact that men are receiving large remissions of fines, and that this association recommends that the regulations be tightened up considerably." As a result of representations made by Mr.- Pollock, on behalf of the Auckland association, it was decided that Messrs. Pollock. Leadley, and the general secrctarv should interview Dr. Hay, InspectorGeneral of Mental Hospitals, with reference to the conditions prevailing in the Avondale and Sunnysiae Mental Hospitals. The Auckland and Christchnrch delegates stated that these were far from satisfactory, but it was agreed that much better conditions prevailed at Porirua und Se&oliff, etc. On tho motion of Messrs Laing and Curtayne it was resolved: "That the Railway Department be asked to make immediate provision for the carriage of building material and stock to soldiers settlements." [ A considerable amount of more, confidential matters, and of the usual routine business, was attended to. On the motion of Messrs. Harper and Cowles. it was decided: "That tho executive, subject to the general principles involved and to notifications to local associations of its views, and the full reasons therefor, may modify the conclusions Touched by conference if in its opinion such modifications are vitally and immediately necessary, in view of new conditions having arisen."