R.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1920, Page 1

R.S.A.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, June 4. The report of the Repatriation Committee dealing with the admission of incapacitated men into all State services was submitted to the conference of the R.S.A yesterday, and' the committee found that many soldiers Had been refused re-employment by the -State on account of tlieir war injuries. It urged : —- (1) That employment at. a wage comparable to what they would have been receiving had they not enlisted should be found for them, and that men who resigned their positions in order to enlist should be reinstated in the same way as if leave had been granted to them, (b) That a separate superannatiou fund subsidised by the Government be established in order to remove any difficulty in connection with superannuation. (e) That no soldier so reemployed shall lose by reason of war service any' annual increment to which he would otherwise have been entitled. (2) That this Association demands preference for returned soldiers, sailors, and nurses when public appointments are made, and recommends that preference be given by private employers also. The report was adopted. The report of the Repatriation Committee was presented. The committee strongly stressed the following resolutions, particularly in view of the grave concern which the position'd' land settlement is to-day causing returned soldiers, and asked that the pledge given ]>v Mr Massey to the last conference be endorsed by Parliment: —“That the Association ask the. Government and Parliament for a- pledge that land settle inent and repatriation benefits generally shall not be rendered inoperative until such time as every soldier has had ample importunity to train himself or to otherwise arrange his affairs in order to allow him to take full advantage of the said benefits. The committee also made recommendations as to the training of soldiers, including apprentives and subsidised workers, as well as fit men. The report was adopted. a The election of officers resulted: President, Dr Boxer ; treasurer, Mr C. W. Batten; vice-presidents, Messrs B. Blackwell, (Canterbury), P. Watts, (Auckland); D. S. Smith, (Wellington); and D. S- Smith, (Dunedin); executive Canterbury, Messrs W. E. Leadley, T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., and R. M. Ingli-s; Auckland, Messrs T. Long, H. F. Andrews, and N .A. Oiling; Otago. Messrs T. E. Graham, A. Glass, arid A. C. Laing; Wellington, Messrs J. D. Harper, J. 8. Hanna, N. Veveoe, ,J. A. Cowles, and the Rev. 'Mr Winton. The Auckland and Otago delegates intimated that their representatives on the executive would retire in the event, of the ’district conferences deciding on fresh, nominations;

'Hie conference lias concluded