RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1920, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

HOKITIKA BRANCH. A general meeting of the above Association was held in the Overseas Club Rooms on Wednesday 30th June at 7.30 p.m. Mr Downey was in the chair. The following resolution was carried : “That this meeting of Returned .Soldiers having taken into consideration the statements of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Lands regarding the finance of the Dominion and the pos. sible effect of the continuance of the present scheme of advances under the P.S.S. Act in further increasing the price of land, still considers the on inequitable and honourable course open to Parliament is—(a) To make the benefits of the P.S.S Act available to all soldiers at present entitled to these benefits and so to avoid penalising many soldiers who have but recently returned to New Zealand, or who have lately been released from hospital, or have lately completed their period of training under the Repatriation Department and (b) To provide that any loss incur_ red in so doing shall be borne by the country as a whole.” > INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

A letter was received from the Secretary of this branch from tho Secretary of the Christchurch branch stating that Mr T. Moriarty of Stillwater is tho owner of the milling rights of 160 acres of country consisting of approximately 2,000,000 feet of timber. r rbis was reserved for bis two sons on their return from active service. Both of his sons, however, were killed in action and he now wishes to see returned soldiers in possession of tho rights. For this puipnso lie propoes to get together half a dozen experienced .returned soldiers, who would be able to receive assistance to the extent of £3OO each from the Repatriation Department for the purpose of establishing a sawmill on th« property. . . To this end the local association win be pleased if any experienced soldiers would forward his name and address to tho Secretary to enable him to get into communication with Mr Moriarty. The Land Board has advised this association that Mr A- J- Pilkington bos been appointed to act as solicitor to anw discharged soldiers who ma y make application to that Department for an advance to purchase farms or dwellings.