N.Z.R.S.A.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 304, 19 September 1919, Page 3

N.Z.R.S.A.

•'■■ wftAT IT HAS DONE , . OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES INTERESTING STATEMENT.,

'' 4?ho recent, tinrcst among returned soldiers has expressed itself to some extent 'in criticism of the work of the Returned ; Soldiers^Association. It has been nljleeed that the Association Executive has 'been negligent in dealing with tlio re-' ! turned soldier, problem, that it has been (deplorably inactive Upon important 'qtirs- , tions. and tliat it has allied itself with 1 a Government which is determined to do ■ cs,little as possibfJe for the returned sol- ■■ diev

J Thp general secretary of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association (Mr, ■':D.' J. E. Seymour) wag interviewed yeaj terday by a reporter on the present position, and'made an interesting and de- • tailed statement on tho wholo matter.

Merits and Demerits of Publicity. Mr. Seymour agreed that very much of the activities of the association were 1 unknown to the general public, and also ■■'to many returned soldiers, particularly i those who had recently returned. It was J true that much more publicity might ■ tavo been given by tho association to its doings* but inquirers could y aCways set information, and much of the criticism levelled at the association emanated' from ! Individuals who had launched forth into ! sweeping statements without any effort I to find out whether their assertions wero true in paint of fnet. ,In so far as tho ' association had avoided publicity, it had ' done so because of thoroughly sound rea- ' sons. A glance at its list of achievements, ' -would Teve™. the fact that many of tlie ' matters referred to were best adiusted ' vith as little publicity as-possible. News- "■ paper prominence only created general ' unrest and unsettled confidence in' tho ;' ndministmtiejii. The creation of .this, ' atmosphere was simple enough, but the : Tesults were almost invariably unfortu- ; mite. ■' . , , ■ ■ Tlie new conditions created by the war, i which were also continuously changing, demanded corresponding adjustments In administrative machinery, and the suggestion conveyed to many minds by un- , due publicity was 'that of culpable in- . competence and negfect in tho administrative staff of the Government. This ; was manifestly unfair, in the great mn- . jcrity. of instances, and only in a relatively snlalS number of cases could ac-'cusations-of this kindjie justified. Generally speaking, the experience of the association had been that tho authorities were anxious to adjust cases of inequality as soon as these were brongbt before their notice; but tire association had not hesitated to denounce the Government where it had persisted in an attitude, such as its attitude on retrospective allowances, ivhich the association regarded as wholly ,' unjustifiable.

Association's Genesis and Administration. To understand the' position fully, con- ' .tinned the general secretary,'it was de- ; sirable to go back to the earliest days of the association. So far as he was aware, the i'dca of a Returned Soldiers' Association had first been formuflated in ' the minds of a few soldiers in tho very early days of the war. To theso men it was clear that,-in view of the disturbed ' social conditions oreated by the war,', an ' organisation of this nature was invperai tive.- The association in New Zealand ; was initiated in April, 1916, and at the . present timo numbered in its membership iproliably 50,000 men. In the earlv days of the association, , and in view of the return of the whole force at the close of the war, the siigges- ' tion had been mndo that a.clause should be ina'u'ded in the constitution of each '. local association providing for the election of a new set of officials and for. a [Dominion conference to review and reconstruct the wbote policy and organisation Df the association immediately the wholo i Expeditionary Force was back. .It was • pointed out, however, that tho return of the Expeditionary Force would 1» i gradual, and that there was no reason ' why those returning at thn close of the . war, and'consisting "for the'most'part' ( of late reinforoements, should be , expected to govern the association inoTe ■! JucccssftiTly than those with! a long ex- '• perience in the work, and that in any ' ease tho power to take any measures, they thought necessary was in the hands of the members at any time. The Dominion Kxecutivo,_ with whom the destinies of • tho association rested 1 lit the present time, hid always wo'comed • jiew member* into the asyiciat.ion, particularly if thev broiisrht with them new ideas, as if believed .that th* success of the association depended on the' m°mher6hin not only of every claw of TetnrW BoJdier hut of every individual. The , greatest difficulty had been in securing men with ability, time, and energy to l cam*'out' its work; and it? experience

had been thai the precipitnte action urged by enthusiastic new arrivals had been ' bnsed'b'oth upon i»non>nre of thenntnre ■ and extent of ■ the association's . work, and failure to appreciate •'the real administrative ' difficulties, ■ internal and external, with which \the association was continuously facd. The matters upon which they alleged > tho association had really been inactive , had been the subject of the most careful ; and complete and where tho association had not come forward with a public policy its attitude had usually been conditioned by such considerations 'as the relation of the matter in question l o- general-!policy,' the real difficulties of „.il problem of which,, a. superficial solution' -"' was simple, and the limitations in financo i and personnel of the association machin- ; ery. The inconsistency of much of the criticism'offered was restricted 'by the ■ fact that it scmed undecided whether to i blamo the association niost for working In touch with the'authorities or for not doing so.' The general secretary pointed out that financially the association had started from zero, and had he.san with an an- ; anal subscription of ss. per member, - - later to 10s. per aniium. From this revenue it had been necessary,'rn ' found and develop some 50 associations ; throughout New Zealand, to maintain tb<- . staff of headquarters and of local associtions, to meet Ml the charges incidental to the founding of an association, to carry on all its work, and to. nrovide the i badges of the members:, Tn the case of ■< s small associations it ljnd been necessary i for them to raise money from other , sources if they were to carry on at all; but, generally sneaking/, the association , had maintained itself and had developed a larger' membership and n comparatively ' detailed organisation. Although returned soldiers' clubs, had in most cases been \ supported by public funds, and to some extent conducted with civilian assistance, | returned soldiers' associations were, largely responsible for their existence and worn In many cases likely to undertake full -responsibility for their continuance. Reforms Secured.

Speaking of the general wor ( k of (he association, Mr. Seymour pointed ou.t thn). the association had been very largely responsible, not merely for the relative smoothness of ■ running of the vr'hoie macliincry for dealing with the returned soldier, 'but for many of tho advantages enjoyed by, those is*:o had returned front active service rince its inception. . The association • had taken the initiative in asking the Government for free railway warrants for returned men. It had been solely responsible for a continuous and finally successful protest against the granting of commissions to Tccrnits proceeding o"i activo service with/reinforcements at; a. time when experienced men for such commissions were available at the front. The first deputation to thiMinister on this matter had l taken place in .Tannin', 101G; in response to continued pressure the Minister had gradually but veiy siowly reduced the number of commissions so offered, until by the Thirtieth Reinforcements, practically aU further commissions went to men who were already on active service. It was to be remembered that thp association, as representing the men at the front, had fought single-handed in .this matter, and that many of those who subsequently received promotion on the field owed it to the efforts of the association on its behalf. The R.S.A. had also been finally responsible, in May, 1918, for the increase of the mufti allowance from 30s. to JS> ss. It Tecognisc<l that in practically all cases, particularly in those in which the civilian clothes of "the soldier had not been carefullv kept, tho present mufti allowance was' hopelessly inadequate; but it believ-

J ed that its efforts were at tho present time mora profitably devoted in securing more generous treatment for returned soldiers in other direction*. '■. The activities of the association, continued the general sec.-etnry, brought it into closo contact with numerous Government Departments. Where policy questions were involved this work was usually done through tho headquarters of tho Ir.S.A. in Wellington, and severely taxed the resources of the staff to cope with it, but many cases were now settled Oiy direct communication from a particular ceutro to tho Department concerned. Land and Repatriation. Tho association had been instrumental in securing—{!) An increase of the grant for stock nnd equipment from .£SOO to J1750; (2) the reduction of tho. option required for the Government purchase of property from three months to one month; (3) the reduction of the valuation fee charged; (1) freo railway passes to bona fide land settlers; (5) the appointment of inspectors to returned soldier settlements; («) tho enlarging of the land'boards; (7) the acceleration of valuations; and (8) a large number of other reforms incidental to land settlement. In addition it hud promulgated a general land settlement policy and also a scheme for tho settlement of unimproved bush and swamp lands. The association had been the first body to urge upon the Government the necessity for a proper scliemo of repatriation. It'had repeatedly insisted upon the immense opportunity created by the war for .reconstructive work, and had developed and published a sdiemo of reeonstruction which had met with,- general approval. It had represented 'to tho Government tho consequences of delay in preparing the necessary repatriation machinery, and when this machinery bad finally, been instituted it had scoured representation on every Repatriation Board. The authorities had also -appointed their staffs exclusively from the ranks of returned soldiers, and in many cases from those whose experience of the work of the association had specially fitted them for such positions. Until the granting of underrate permits had become a function of tlie Repatriation Board th« association had been officially, represented.it the hearing of all'applications for such permits It had laid down a general principle that a, soldier was entitled to a position at least comparable with that which lie would have occupied bad he not undertaken military duties, and its efforts had been directed to securing the adoption of this principle by Win Repatriation Department.- The association was still pressing for more generous treatment in a number of matters effecting repatriation, and was of opinion that, whilo the maoliinery had up to the present run-relatively smoothly, much of tho work dono had not been nf a.permanent nature, and that the policv of the Ke>>atriation Department still fell far short, of satisfying tho principle upon which re-, patriation should be based.

Medical' The M.S.A: has felt that the closest attention and criticism must be given to tl\o whole of the machinery concerned with the medical treatment of the returned soldier, ami it has taken the view that the incapacitated man and his dependants should be its primary care. Wherever conrolaiats have ken made tno association has undertaken the closest investigation, and almost invariably 'has been sympathetically met by tho anthon-, K'es. At a very early stage it was able to ensure that the pension of men undergoing treatment for mental trouble should be granted to tiieni and not to the hospital authorities. Representatives of the U.S.A. have repeatedly visit«l mental institutions whew • returned soldiers are being treated, and have satisfied themselves as to the conditions. Tn maiiy cases comforts, such as tobacco and fruit, are' regularly distributed •. among soldier patients by the association, which Ifiis arranged for regular visits from us officials. \ .„',., ■ l The R.S.'A. protested effectively againot tho penal treatment of V.D. cases, and hw secured assurances that these shall participate in the advantages of railway passes and mufti allowance and the privileges'of the • Expatriation Act. Inirther action is now being taken to ensure that the soldier with venereal disease and tho civilian Bimilarly affected shall W under identical responsibilities lor treatment. ' . Under pressure from tho H.b.A. tlio Government lias reconsidered llio wnolo question-of the pensions of soldiers fiiiti ferin" from .tubercular, trouble, and "as '■ undertaken to make special arrangements i in view of tho nature of their- disability. Tho association lias also secured JJepartmental .action to allow of monthly railway passes being periodically avaii- ! ablo to. returned soldiers, undergoing hospital treatment, for the purpose of returning to their home*, and so that it they are unable to travel these passes should be available to their next-of-kin .to travel to the hospital. Tho B.S.A. has formed committees ot limbless m*n in eaob important centre, and tho authorities have acted m consultation with the B.S.A. m many of tho special arrangements made for limbless ■men. PartieuTar arrangements have been made for the issue of passes to secure snocial accommodation—nret-class and sTcepirig-for limbless nion who cannot travel without hardship. ....... ■ The association has' taken tho initiative in approaching the protiieiii of alcoholics amongst returned soldiers. It has decided upon a scheme for dealing witn such cases, and hns appointed a. committee to collect information to make the noiessary arrangements for tho .introduction of the scheme. Tho watchful eyo kept by the association over the interests of the soldier has been well illustrated by. recent criticism of the position in Fcatherston Camp, and it is also noteworthy that the assooiation had originally assured itself that the position was being satisfactorily remedied without taking public action.

I Pay, Allowances, and Pensions. The record of the working of the association in securing justice for the returned soldier and his dependants in respect to pay and allowances, etc.. has been by no means a- short one. Beginning with the position of men on active service, u secured arrangements by which men casualtied while on temporary rank secured the full benefits of the pay and allowances of that rank until their return to dutV. or,\ in the case ot -discharge, the corresponding pension benefits. The U.S.A. secured the extension !of the advantages of financial assistance to a larger, section of men than those originally provided for, and will not be satisfied until all cases are treated in .the 6anie way. irrespective of the period in respect to which application is made. The ration allowance lias been increased from 2s. per day to 4s. per day; pay had been granted to men returning foi-'furlough leave; the privileges granted in the matter of passage money to wives have been extended io fiancees; the Department pays the cost of decorations lost, in transit; the(retaining of ■J® from the account of the soldier to cover contingencies has been abolished; the allowances made to widowed mothers have in certain conditions been doubled; nnd a number of inequalities relating to the pay of returned men re-enlisted for home service have been adjusted. A iw/'iit instance of tho work of the association is furnished' by the case Of non-commissioned officers who returned bv the Ghuprn, and who, as a result of our representations, were credited with the difference between the cost of the second and third-class fare. ' , , ~ Heprcfcntatioiiß have been made to the authorities in respect to members of the Imperial reservists ntid Motor Boat Patrol, nnd to New flealnndcrs who served with Imperial units, and It is understood that references to these will bo made in a. forthcoming announcement by the Minister of Defence. The general secretary pointed out that the association had lieen successful in securing an appointment of one of its members.to a seat on the Pension -Board. It had continuously represented the m- j adequacy, of the pension scale, and re-1 commended from the Christchnrch confereive that a minimum pension of .-S3 15s. should be granted to men totally incanacitated. It had secured the increase of a partial pension to tho full amount in.cases where n soldier was obliged to hospital for treatment of war injuries, | ».nd it secured tho abolition of the sys-; iem of deducting amounts held by tho : Department to be owing by the soldier from his pension. The association was confident that the authorities were realising the inadequacy of the present pension scale, and looked forward to its increase in the immediate future. ,

General Cases. The number of cases settled by the 18.5.A. /to tho satisfaction of the individual concerned was very large, 'and tlie work of the K.S.A. relieved the Authorities of an immense amount of (ime and trouble, iw well as expense. Tho' authorities had recognised that the U.S.A. was the natural channel through which complaints should be brought tu the notice of the Government, and had made official requests, accordingly. ■ Every returned 601Hier was assured of a patient hearing bv.men who, having served themselves, wore able to form the soundest opinion of the merits of his case. The association was in possession of numerous letters, not merely from returned soldiers, but also from grateful dependants, who hilly recognised and appreciated its efforts on their behalf. Tho association had frequently found that a complaint by a returned mn,n was based on misunderstanding of intricate regulations, and -the arrangement's of its staff in the main centres were almost invariably insufficient to deal in full with the endless inquiries and advice sought. It remained to be added that tho association exercised a great and contitumllv "increasing influence in favour of the soldier by close scrutiny of all proposals and measures of interest to him. Tt aimed at the formation of a strong badv of public opinion, well-informed as to the needs of the returned soldier, and in a upsition to .judge of the justice of the measures framed by the authorities for dealing with returned-soldier problems.

The .general secretary concluded by saying 'that very much remained to be done, and that the association strongly desired that (lie present Parliament would be able to settle finally and in full all tho questions "upon which the association was still making representations..