RETURNED SERVICES

Evening Star, Issue 24288, 1 September 1942, Page 2

RETURNED SERVICES

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The executive of the Dunedin Returned Services Association held its fortnightly meeting last night, the president (Mr S. G. Scoular) being in the chair. . TRAVEL WARRANTS. ’ Following a discussion, the executive decided to support the Christchurch Association in its claim that members of the New Zealand Temporary Staff who were in camp bo "ranted the same leave privileges as ordinary Territorials. Members of the Territorial forces n-erc permitted to enjoy seven days furlough every four mouths, and were granted free I ravelling warrants to return to their homes. However, with members of the temporary staff, while they received 14 days’ leave after 12 months’ service, they did not receive travelling warrants, hut could only obtain concession rates on the trains. Further representations arc to bo made to Dominion headquarters concerning the matter of pay and travelling permits granted men of the R'.N.V.R. and other naval ratings. The committee reported that it was desired that the pay of these men should be brought into Hue with that of the soldiers in the Army, and that when on leave they be granted a full travelling warrant on the interisland boat. ■ At the moment they had to pay a percentage of their fare. The War Emergency Committee reported that representations were to be made regarding the travel arrangements provided for soldiers stationed in the South Island who lived in the North. Owing to the daylight sailing of the interisland steamers these men when on leave lost a day in Wellington, fc-r they were not permitted to travel on the north express from the capital. It was desired that such men be granted permission to travel on the express. RELIEF COMMITTEE. The Relief Committee recommended that £IOO be donated to the 2nd N.Z.E.F. for prisoners of war parcels.—Approved. The committee slated that the monthly cost for tobacco allowance for returned soldiers at Seacliff was £2l. Approximately 100 men in the various sanatonums and institutions were receiving tobacco allowances from the association, and the total yearly cost was £4OO. GENERAL. The Secretary reported that six new members, including 2nd N.Z.E.F. men, had been nominated for membership. Two honorary members were appointed, two members transferred out, and the deaths of six members recorded. The Secretary reported that the association had been asked to co-opcrato by getting its members to assist in the Work at the A.N.A. Club at Wilson Hall on Friday and Saturday nights. A roster of members willing to assist is to be compiled, and the assistance of the Territorial Association will also be sought. The committee reported that, at the recent conference of the Dominion Council of the N.Z.R.S.A. the following resolution was adopted:—“That it be a. recommendation to the Dominion Executive Committee that representations bo made to the Government that accredited hospital visitors of allibated associations and their sub-associations be enabled to purchase tobacco from iho various canteens on the same basis as servicemen.” Dominion headquarters had now been advised by the Can icon Board that this reduced cost would be, made available to the branches which had accredited hospital visitors. Branches wore asked to forward to Wellington a list of surh at’ rodited visitors.