RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 23, 22 October 1919, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS

DOMINION CONFERENCE

LEAGUES AND POLITICAL ACTION

The conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association continued its sittings yestyday, the president (Dr. E.' Boxer, of Hastings) occupying the chair. The following committee was set up to inouire into the conditions governing the administration of headquarters, also to investigate the relations between the executive sub-committee and the office, staff: Messrs. T. Long (Auckland), 'J. D. Forbes (Otago). W. L. Chapman (Wellington), N. A. C'hing (Kawakawa), and A. li. Sievwright (Wellington). ' Mr. C. W. Batten moved that the benefits of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act be extended to men who had been discharged unfit from camp.. ■ Speaking In the motion, Mr.. Batten pointed out. that men who were in camp at the time of the armistice were allowed to take advantage of the provisions of the Act because it wis assumed that if the armistice were not signed immediately these men might have been a short distance from New Zealand, ano' thpn could have been regarded as returned soldiers when they came back to the Dominion. That, being the case, it was only fair that men who had been discharced as unfit should also be able to take advantage of the Act. . Mr. E. W. Inder (Auckland) seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. R. B, Bell (Wairoa) proposed: "That local' associations be empowered to join leagues, etc., for the pushing on of railways and for the development of their districts."

Mr. W. E. iAidley '(Christjchurch) seconded the remit. "Mr. Batten suggested that the motion should be altered to reari that ascriptions be empowered'to "co-operate with' leagues, etc. Mr'. H. W. Tnder (Auckland) congratulated the promoters of the remit, on havins become converts to political notion, for that was what t.lie remit meant. .. ifr, ;W. Perry (WolUnifton) paid that, to nasi the motion wouM be a dangerous precedent,. as it opened up the field of political action. Dr. Boxer said there was no evidence to prove that any particular railway league was a political body, an<i' for that reason lie was inclined to allow the remit to proceed. Mr. Bell Raid that although he was against the remit, lie was bound to put it forward in compliance with his mstrnclione. The 'Wniroa association had •also instructed that lie should vote n'minst political action. He was in a dilemma in the matter. Mr. A. B: Kievwright moveil af) an amendment: "That local associations may support the pushing of railways for tho development of their districts so far 'as the ''onstitntion of the association allows." Mr. T. Long (Auckland), sairf that if the remit Vere carried :t would.give the Auckland association a chance of doi"g something that it wanted to do. TTe favoured political action, and he favoured. the remit. . Mr. V. Potter .(Auckland)- said it Imd been decideri that political action should not' be introduced into the conference. No one had fouirlit harder for political notion than lie. but he was coins; to bo loval to the will of the majority. On that ground he was going to vote against 't.he remit. Both the amendment and the remit were rejected: Finances of Association. ■ The-report of -the Finance Committee submitted by the trea.-nrer, M:\ I\. J. F. Aldtich, *stated that it was obvious that headquarters could not rely sufiioientlv on renewals for its support. At this <inte there were approximately 00(10 unfinancia! members. /Whereas the immediate. liabilities amounted to aiii-H ss. id., (lie cash and readily realisable assets amounted to <£65f> 14s.- Gd. The committee suggested that some drastic measures be ■ taken by local associations with regard to collecting outstanding renewals. and that the instruction that returns'be furnished to headquarters monthly lie rigidly aohered to. Owing to the fact that headquarters could not relv unon renewals, the committee recommended that the -capitation to lieadauarters bo increased to 2s. 6d. per member for new members, with renewals remaining aa at present, viz., 2s. The committee recommended that in cases where a member of Ihe executive was representing ail association at conference, his. expenses should be divided equally between headquarters alio the local association represented. The committee wished to especially draw the. attention ot conference to the item "local associations to headquarters .£2206 fis. 2(1." This nmount was actually owing by local associations for badires supplied and "renewals. The committee suggested 'lint bv local associations taking a little thought. tl\py could save headquarters a lot of unnpccMary expense, i.e., in the matter of telegrams, etc. The statement of estimated income and expenditure showed',a balance of excess .of expenditure over income of ;EBl2. The report was received.