RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 214, 4 June 1920, Page 8

RETURNED SOLDIERS

DOMINION CONFERENCE

REPORT ON REPATRIATION

The conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was continued yesterday, Dr. E. Boxer presiding. General Birdwood was present for a whilo at the afternoon's session of tho conference.

Tho report of tho Repatriation Committee was presented. Tho committeo strongly stressed the following resolution, and, particularly in view of the grave concern which the position of land settlement is to-<lny causing returned soldiers, asked that the pledge given by Mr. Massey to the last conference be endorsed by Parliament: 'SJliat the association ask tho (jfoverninent olid Parliament for a. pledgo that land settlement and repatriation' benefits generally shall not bo rendered inoperative i.ntil such tinio as every soldier has had an:plo opportunity to train himself or to etherwise arrange his affairs in order to allow him to take full advantage of tho said benefits." The committeo also urged the following:— Training of Soldiers, Apprentices.—That, when a married man is completing his indentures under this scheme, the sustenance scale, and not the Ji3' ss. flat rate, apply. This remit is again approved. Since it was passed in Cliristcmirch, the allowance has been made exclusive, instead of inclusive, of pension. This has not, however, met the caso of the married men. Subsidised Workers: (a). In view of tho fact that subsidies are paid monthly, and that thereby many trainees suffer unduo hardship because they are unablo to meet their weekly obligations, that where necessary arrangements be made with the employer to pay tho full amount due overy week, and that a cheque foi the subsidy be forwarded to tho employer every month, (b) That the Repatriation Department be requested to increase tho allowance to subsidised workers to bring their wages up to at least i£3 10s. for single men and M for married men, as the present allowance is quite- inadequate in view of the high cost of living, (c) That in the event of renewal of' subsidy for further pericd beyond the usual twedvo months, tho subsidy should bo based on the starting wage end not on the wage which the trainee is earning at the time of renewal, providing thai, the wages with subsidy shall not exceed tho maximum in (M. •

Sustenanco: Sustenance grants for n.en for whom suitable ''employment cannot bo obtained. That the scale he laised, viz., man and wife, 555. j man and wife and one child, 635.; man and wifo and two children, 705.; man and wife and three children, 753.; man and wife and four children, 80s. .Tho committee urge that when a soldier, on his discharge, has applied continuous?}' for one .week for'employment, nnd.no suitable employment has been found, he should at once be entitled to sustenanco until suitablo employment is found. Claims of tho Fit Men: The committee finds that there is a tendency to overlook the claims of the fit men. and recommends(a) Unskilled men: These should be eligible for twining in a trade under the subsidised wages scheme, (b) Dying trades: That men wheso trades are (lying out owing to industrial progress, be eligible for training under the subsidised wages scheme, (c) 1. Men discharged as fit, but who contend they are not, in fact, in the same physical condition as they were beforo enlistment. These men should be allowed an independent medical examination, at tho expense of the Department, as to whether

a change of occupation is desirable; (2) men whose former trade has become unsuitable owing to war service, should be eligible for training under the subsidised wages scheme, (d) Men who. have, lost opportunity by war service. The committee, therefore, urged that tho scope of the Department be extended to cover the foregoing cases. The report was adopted. It was decided that the retiring treasurer, Mr. R. J. F. Aldrich, should be granted an lionorarium of ,£2G. Election of Officers. The election of officers occupied some time. The re-section of Dr. Boxer as president was proposed by Mr. It. B. Bell (Wairoa), seconded by Mr. W. K Leadley (Christchurch). Mr. P. E. Andrews (Auckland) proposed the election of Mr. E. W. Inder (Auckland), and this motion was seconded by Dr. Harrise.ii (Dunedin).- Dr. Harrison was nominated by Mr. F. Pirani (Peilding), but declined to stand. • ' The election resulted in the return of Dr. Boxer, and the result was pnnonnccd amidst great enthusiasm, Dr. Boxer lieing loudly cheered, and tho delegates singing "For He's a Jolly Good l'ellow. Dr. Boxer returned thanks for his reelection, a summary of'his remarks being reported elsewhere. Mr. C. W. Batten, was elected treasurer. The election of other officers resulted as follow:—Vice-presidents, Messrs. G P/aclcwe'.l (Canterbury), P. Watts (Auckland), D. S. Smith (Wellington), and Dr. T. Harrison (Dunedin). Executive, Canterbury: Messrs. W. E. Leadloy, T. E. \. Seddoii, M.P., aud L. M. Inglis. Auckland: Messrs. T. Long.E. F. Andrews, and N A. Ching. Otago; T. E. Graham, A. Glass, and A. C. Laing. Wellington ,T. D. Harper, J. S. Hanna, Eev. Wmton, N. Vercce, and J. A. Cowles. The Aucklnnd and Otago delegates intimated tlmt their representatives on the executive would retire in the event of the district conferences deciding on fresh nominations.