R.S.A. CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1923, Page 3

R.S.A. CONFERENCE.

DECISIONS AT AUCKLAND. [liv TM.Klil’.Al’lI —l’KI! I*I*MSS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND. June HI. Tho Soldiers’ Conference received a message from Earl Haig, as President o’the Empire Soldiers' League, stating flint comradeship ami spirit of sell'-sneri-fiee, which was such a great factor in bringing the war to a successful issue, was the basis on which tho future success of all ex-service associations must rest. Ho therefore appealed to ex.servieemen to stick together and insist on local associations affiliating with the League. It was only liv united action they could help their less fortunate comrades. Tho Conleieiiro decided again lo urge the Government to find suitable positions for all unemployed disabled men whose names had been submitted by the Association, and also to make urgent irepresentatTons to the Public Works and Forestry Deparments, and In all local bodies to commence immediately all necessary public works with '•reference to soldiers.

The Conference decided to urge the Government to bring down a progressive policy for the development of all unoccupied laud, either Crown or private, except areas sol apart for I ores try. such lands to he made available for close settlement ; and also to urge the Government to endeavour to obtain from tiie Imperial Government sufficient funds for the training and settlement of ox-imperial soldiers. It was decided to strongly urge the Government lo take more stringent measures against Asiatic immigration. The Conference adopted the report by the Canteen ami War Funds Committee. that th-a Conference is of tln* fixed opinion that the present corpus of the canteen fund, now aggregating UJ.VUUR. should he conserved: and further Hint the fund should he allowed to accumulate at compound interest, nnii 1 it reaches L'2HO,(O); that the Canteen and Regimental Trust Fund Board he urged to adopt tho prin•eiple that the corpus of the fund he invested for a period not exceeding fifteen years from the armistice; that publicity lie given to the activities of the Canteen Funds Board. The Conference decided to protest against any change in the observance of Anzac. Day.

Tt was decided to urge the Government to obtain Spahlinger serum for T.B. patients; lhut a War Pensions Appeal Board lie established ; that hallway houses for border-line menial cases he established ; that more sympat liotl' ronsidera I ion he given to nerve and T.B. cas'-.s when applications are made fur pensions sonic time nlicr mscharge; that the Council approach the War' Funds Council with the object of securing financial assistance for soldiers and dependents, whose eases have not lioen accepted by the Dep-nit-ment. with special reference to returned soldiers receiving treatment lor tubercular disease in a civil sanatoi ium.

1! S.A. CONFERENCE CONCLUDES. AUCKLAND. June 11. The Dominion Cnulorence ot the R.S.A. lias concluded. Ihe balance sheet, which was adopted, showed ac(emulated funds £1502, less excess of cxiiondituro over income for the year. fMR'2. leaving an excess of assets over liabilities of £1 120. Rir Andrew Russell was re-elected President. and Air .1, I). Harper, was re-elected honorary treasurer. The Dominion Executive was elected as follows: —Auckland, Afessrs Cox and Long; Wellington. Alessrs Berry Dunraii'ami (Tink.nrd ; Canterbury, .Messrs Lojidley and ]>cdl ; Xnlson and Mailborough, Air Yerc-ol; Otago, Afessrs Lang and Graham. . Tho next Conference will he held at Christchurch. The matter of soldiers’ pensions was considered and the following resolution was carried: —“That a strong protest ho entered against the policy ol the Pensions Board in declining to grant further pensions or medical treatment to returned soldiers suffering from neiirathenia. and shell shock, who had received treatment on two occasions at. the Queen Alary Hospital at Hamper ■Springs; the Department should fulfil it- ol,libations to returned soldiers by (wanting medical treatment am pensions no matter how often a breakdown lias occurred, as a result ol uni S< The policy of the Pensions Board is to he brought umler the notice of Cabinet ~n (| members of Parliament with a view t„ obtaining just treatment for the men concerned.