RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1920, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

PUBLIC MEETING. AT TOWN HALL

A public meeting at the Town Hall last night to hear an address by Mr J. Cruse, district organiser for the N.Z. Returned Soldiers’ Association, was not largely attended, there being several counter attractions last evening. There was a fair attendance of discharged soldiers, and a sprinkling of the public. In the absence of the Mayor at another engagement, Mr D. J. Evans was voted to the chair, and introduced the speaker for the evening. Mr Cruse spoke for about an hour on the aims and achievements of the Returned Soldiers’ Association which now had branches all through the Dominion. The total membership now exceeded 60,000, and at the last annual conference 83 delegates were present representing branches of the Association. The aims of the Association were three fold: First, for the dependents of the fallen; second, for those of their comrades crippled in mind or body; and third for the general body of the men, upholding and advocating their rights in regard to past service and repatriation.

Mr Cruse went at some length into the details of the work done by the Association, and pointed out the? advantages secured in regard to retrospective allowances, pensions and repatriation. Generally he acknowledged the assistance given by the Government, and specially mentioned in this connection the granting of the gratuities. He did not think that all had been done regarding land settlement, and referred briefly to a land settlement policy propounded by the Asociation, which it was intended to bring under the notice of the Government at next session of Parliament. In connection with settling soldiers on the land, he alluded at some length to a proposal by Colonel Mitchell to train men on land, and hoped that work of that nature, promising practical results would be taken up by the country.

At the close of the address questions were invited, and enquiry was made regarding pensions, medical boards, and the treatment of sick men generally. In the course of the discussion which arose, Mr Cruse made a note of a suggestion that visits of medical boards should be more freely advertised for the benefit of the men outside the centres; also that in common with other parts of the Dominion, the Pensions’ Board should pay periodical visits to the West Coast.

The Hon H. L. Michel M.L.C., Mr T. W. Bruce, County Chairman, and others spoke in reference to matters which arose, the first named suggesting a more liberal use of the patriotic funds for the assistance of the returned men, while Mr Bruce urged special consideration for the unfit men who lived remote from the towns, and who were under expense and disabilities in travelling to and fro to visit doctors Mr Cruse made a note of the various matters, and promised to bring the suggestions before the Executive. On the motion of Mr N. Tullocli, seconded by Mr B. Howell, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr Cruse for his visit and address. In acknowledging the vote, Mr Cruse said he would be in the district for a fortnight,, and if any man had a complaint or grievance ho would be glad to hear him and do what he could to remedy anything that was at fault.

Mr Cruse mentioned also, amid applause, that Mrs Maher of the Dominion hotel had donated to the local Boturned Soldiers branch, the valuable section adjoining the hotel, as a site for a soldiers’ club room. An acclamatory vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Maher for her valuable gift. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings.