R.S.A. CONFERENCE

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1943, Page 6

R.S.A. CONFERENCE

OFFICERS ELECTED. WELLINGTON, May 28. At the annual conference of tne New Zealand Returned Services Association the following officers weie elected: President, Hon. W. Perry, Dominion vice-president, Mr. B. J. Jacobs; district vice-presidents, Messrs L. C. Logan G Griffiths (Waikato-Bay of Plenty), G McCormick (Wellington-Taranaki-West Coast), G. M. Menzies (Welling-ton-East Coast), P. Davy( (Canterrv - Westland-Nelson-Marlborough), and W. K. Cameron (Otago-South-land); dominion high treasurer, Mi. J. D. Harper; Dominion executive, Messrs C. W. Batten, C. O. Bell, P. H. G. Burdekin, W. D. Hayden A. T Duncan, R. W. Fenton, E. C. Hale, G. A. Haylen, C. Holmes, W. E. Leadley. , x With innumerable remits—many or a contentious nature—dealing, With rehabilitation and lands, the conference yesterday spent a busy time until 11 p.m. debating the multuarious interests of returned men within these important sections. Mr C. W. Batten, a member oi the Rehabilitation Board and also an officer of the Association, gave an outline of rehabilitation work. He said that 200 houses had been bought and about 600 State rental houses had been allotted to returned servicem During the debate the State Advances Corporation was subjected to severe criticism, and a recommendation was adopted that the corporation be used only for valuations, supervision, and payment of grants and loans, and the collection of repayments. It was also decided that the Association recommend a separate rehabilitation department with a Minister free from all other duties. The principal decision on the lands policy of the Association was a demand that the right of freehold oe given to the soldier settlers and also that the Government be asked to introduce legislation to stabilise land and house values so that servicemen would have an opportunity to acquire land at a productive value and houses at an economic value on a freehold land basis. An increase in the mufti allowance for discharged servicemen and women from the present £l2 10s to x2t> was advocated in a remit which was adopted. It was agreed that there should be' no difference in this respect between those who had seen service and those who had been given home service.

A decision was made by the conference that rank should not be a reason for differentiation in war pensions, particularly in respect of dependants of former soldiers, though it was considered that existing rights should not be forfeited. A remit was sent to the conference from the l’emuka branch urging that the principle of differentiation in pension rates should be abolished. After discussing means of applying the principle of the remit fairly and in conformity with the policy of the association the conference decided to affirm the principle and leave details to the Dominion executive. The Association expressed determination to keep out of politics in a resolution that the' association of the word “soldier” in connection wit“ ine name of an> r political party be strongly deprecated by; the Returned Services’ Association, and that the conference' reaffirm its strong determination to remain non-party political in accordance with the constitution. Mr. W. E. Leadley said there would be a general election shortly, and all parties were going right out ior what they called the “soldier’s vote/’ The soldier’s vote did not exist, io say; that soldiers, because they saw service together, would vote together was utter nonsense’. Mr. A. P. Postlewaite (Auckland) : It is a disgrace that any political adventurers should try to climb into Parliament on the backs of returned soldiers.

The conference agreed .that the time was inopportune to consider amending the constitution to permit the membership of men with home service only.

The opinion was expressed that this should be left till’after the men returned, but that, recognising that home servicemen had problems of their own, local associations should take steps to assist in the formation of home service associations with eventual Dominion headquarters, the council pledging continued assistance and co-operation of both R.S.A. headauarters and branches in furthering the just claims of this grouo of servicemen and women, and also that if possible such home service associations should be affiliated to New Zealand Returned Services’ Associations.