RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 26, 25 October 1919, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS

CONFERENCE ENDED WAR FUNDS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The special conference of delegate.? lo the New Zealand Relumed Soldiers' Association W(is concluded ye.slordny, Mr. N. B. M , Galium (vice.-presiilcul) presiding. War Funds. Mr. K. B. Bell (Wairon) moved, in the absence of Mr. C. W. Batten (vice-presi-dent): "That the whole, question of war funds and their administration and futiiro disposal be brought boforo conference by the executive sub-couiiniltco wilh a report on tho notions taken up to dnio in accordance with Iho resolution passed at Chrisrchurc.il, and u request that instructions as lo further action, if any, be categorically laid boforo tho executive." Speaking to the motion, Mr. Bell said he was_ sorry that the matter hnd not been discussed earlier in tho conference, as the executive had been to considerable trouble to bring down a report on the direction;) of last conference Discussion was taken in committee. Tho following resolution, moved byMr. R. B. Bell, and seconded bv Mr.- G. Mitchell (Balclutha), was passed in committee, affirmed in open council:— "That tho Executive and.Advisory Council of the N.Z.E.S.A. urges upon the .Government that the Royal Commission to inquire into the administration and disposal of the war funds of the Dominion which the association had . previously pressed for be sot up without delav, and that the order of reference that commission be as previously laid down." The following resolution, moved by Mr. R. B. Bell, and seconded by Mr. E. F. Andrews (Auckland), was carried:"That'this Advisory Council of tho N.Z.E.S.A. places on record its approv.il or the action of the executive in regard to war funds taken in accordance with the terms of the resolutions passed by the Christchurch conference, and in accordance with the executive's request lavs it down that no further action be taken except as provided for in the motion pressing for a Royal Commission." Remits from Stratford, Palmerston North, and Wellington, which embodied the foregoing, wero struck out. -

Financial Assistance Mr. N, A. Ching (ICawakawa) brought down, the report of the 6ub-committee upon a conference, consisting of himself, Mr..E. P. Andrews (Auckland), and tho chairman and: members of tho Financial Assistance Board. They found, he said, the secretary and members of the board very anxious to assist the association in its investigations. A conference of two hours duration took placo, and the com, mittee found:—(l) That the chairman and members of the board are very cstira. <*bi9 wntlemen, and have doubtless tho interest of the soldiers at heart. (2) A distrustful attitude by the board's administration stafi. towards the various returned soldiers' associations throughout the Dominion.

? method of dealing with an application for afisistance and the necessary correspondence before such application is placed before the board is unsatisfactory, and not conducive to every applicant obtaining a fair hearing from the board.

(i) That unwittingly there is a trend' in such correspondence to discourage applications.

(5) that the national business instincts or tho members of the board do not enhance the prospect of obtaining a symreading of the regulations. (6) ihat in estimating the amount of Assistance due to an applicant not enough dulerentiation is shown between the prewar cost of living and tho cost while the applicant was out of New Zealand. '•Ihe committee strongly recommended that the Government be pressed to vest tho whole administration of th 6 Act in the repatriation boards, for the following reasons:—(a) That the regulations, will be more sympathetically construed by reason of the local knowledge, of the applicant; (b) that the decentralisation will further assist the applicant, inasmuch as the board could personally come into contact with him and a/rrive at a tonclusiou without tie delay now experienced. Tho committee further recommended that a representative of tho R.S.A. in each district should bo allowed to appear before the 'bo-ird and Assist applicants to place any evidence before *ho board. \ ,

Mr. Ching-pointed out that one of tho main reasons the committee wished to vest the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act in the Repatriation Board lav in the obvious overlapping with "the latter board. A great raving in public expenses in respect to administration would follow if the committee's recommendations were adopted. .The report was unanimously adopted. Defence Organisation. The matter of tho organisation of -the New Zealand Defence Forces was introduced by Mr. T. long (Auckland), who moved: "That the Government be asked to reorganise its Home Defence Department to ensure that only officers, noncommissioned officers, and men who have seen active service in the late war be appointed to same."

Mr. Long said that he knew of an s/licer, who. had had four years' service, applying for Staff appointment and being turned down because he had flat feet.

Mr. Graham (Inveroargi.il) suggested that Mr. Long might add to his motion that "this do not a.pply to those members of the Staff who, through no fault of their own, did not go to tho war."

following' somo disouesioii, Mr. _G, Mitchell (Balcluthn.) moved: "That the Govorument be asked to reorganise the Defence Department bo as to ensure that only officers and other ranks who ha.vo seen service in some campaign, irrespective of whether they belong to the Staff or not. be employed in the Defenco Forces." > Mr. Long agreed to withdrnv: his motion in favour of Mr. Mitohell's. Tho motion was put to tho meeting and carried. Medical Matters. The report of (he Medical Committee, consisting of Messrs. .T. D. Harper (convener), V. Potter (Auckland), G. Bcokett (Wongnnni), H. Mi Tajisley (Danncvirke), G. W. Wnrdrop (Woodville), and Dr. 15. Boxer (Hastings) was introduced by Mr. Harper. Tho resolutions of the committee were as follow:— '■ "That this committee strongly urges that: a niau suffering from T.B. should receive not less than six months' treatment. in a sanatorium, on the one. hand lie should not bo discharged at his own ri'ouest, or, on the other, be discharged owing to lack of sanatorium accommodation until tho expiry of (he period." "That this committee rwi.ffi.nns tho decisions of tho Oliristchurch Conference that eases of V.D. bo mado notifiable, and urges- that the matter bo. again placed before the Minister of Hcnftli with a. view to immediate action beinij tu'-en by this or the future Government." In connection "with? the Ptikeroa. Sanatorium, Wainukiirau, the committee reported as follows:— "That Ibis committee, having heard the report from Mr._ Kirkiham'. Wainukuraii, and Mr. Pirani. of Pukeroa Sanatorium, and in view or Iho action ajreadv taken by tho Now Zealand Executive, begs lo report-that the complaints put forward h.v tho members of the Pujieroa Sanatorium have now been in tho main satisfactorily adjusted. This committee strongly urges filial; local associations in tho district where sanatoria are should innire regular visits lo same with a view'of nutting before the patients the activities of the N.Z.It.R.A., and to investigate any complaints that may bo arising from such sanatoria." Itemils respecting dental treatment were recommended by the committee to be loft in llho hands l of tho oxecutivo for action. "This committee recommends that the accommodation of all men proceeding to limb ccntres should not be at the discretion of tho issuing officer, who is in many cases not a medical officor, but that I'll or should receive first-class accommodation." The report was adopted. Other Matters. Moved by Mr. W. Potherick (Auckland) and seconded by Mr. L. S. Graha.m '(Invercargill); "That military patients

proceeding to bos.pil.al or sanatoria bo gtanted first-class railway and steamer faros."—Carried. Moved by Mr. R. B. Bell (Wairoii) and seconded by Mr. E. P. Andrews (Auckland): "Tlmt fins conference wishes lo make it clear that in appointing a ._sul>i.'ommilton in im-Kilignlo Die nil ministration at. iliendqiiarters office it did not- inte.ud lo cast any reflections on the slnlV of ]ipadf]iinrters, which has worked under ilio direction of thn executive subcnmmille.o and under very arduous conditions."—Carried. Moved by Air. W. Pollock'(Auckland) and seconded by Mr. E. I , '. Andrews (Auckland): "Ttliat. this conference, request From the Minister of Lands an explanation nf his action in iillofliug lo four returned soldiers section? on f lie Haurnkj Plains without having such sections balloted for."—Carried. Moved by Mr. 70. 1 , . Andrews (Auckland) and seconded by Mr. R. Tt. Bell (Wairoa): "That this Advifion - Council of the N.Z.R.S.A. heartily support* Mie request of Mr. Clement* for an inquiry into the removal of his Into son from Auckland to Sumncr."—Carried. Conclusion. Upon tho motion of Mr. J. Fetherick (Christchurch), tho "remaining business and the remaining notices of motion were referred to tho executive for consideration. A hearty vole of thank? wns accorded the president (Dr. E. Boxer) and Mr. M'Callum. In reply, Mr. M'Callum referred to (he fact that, tho assneintip". wns "once again a happy family." (Applause.)