R.S.A. DEPUTATION

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1929, Page 2

R.S.A. DEPUTATION

TO DEFENCE MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Pre* Association). WELLINGTON, June 27. A deputation from tlio New Zealand Returned Soldiers Association waited on the Minister of Defence to-day. Mr J. M. White pointed out the'Reparation Department had closed down before all the men had been completely absorbed, and he drew attention to the fact that there weie over a thousand men economically employable. Perhaps about 1000 men could do some work* but 200 others were not available. The Government were paying £30,000 to £90,000 in economic pensions, hut probably 50 to 75 per cent of the pensioners were capable of doing suitable work. He suggested workshop colonies or somethihg of the sort and suggested a commission, including a Magistrate, representatives of the Returned Soldiers and War Funds Council, to inquire into the best means of carrying out the scheme. Mr W. E. Lead ley said ppopy day appeal funds lasted only a short period and the men were through on the labour market again. Returned men were worthy of something better than having to spend their declining years in Old Men’s Homes. He also asked for an additional representative of the Association .the Canteen Funds Board. At present they had one in seven. The Minister said he would take no part in establishing veterans homes. He thought the request for another representative on the Canteen Funds Board was reasonable and. he would appoint one other if he bad the power. Expense was not the first consideration of the Government, but responsibility to the returned men. The question was not whether the Government could save a portion of the pensions,, hut psychology of a man doing nothing had altered. It was, thp .duty of the Government to help. tp..find woyk for the men: Provided got: the, right mqn, the , Cpipmissjpn':,couia do a ' lot of/ : good.' . 'Another ' problem they would ..have 'tp' . was that' of returned men. .who, signed off' fit and became ill ■ yeatq 1 . ijfferward ?; ,• Oh Colonel ■ on behalf of- the. •Association 'towards the ' cost of' a commission, the Minister said he 'Would 'rqbommend -it at tb^;^eiit-'i^.l)inef^nee^ing.7.. - •

REPLY TO REQUEST. DUNEDIN, June 27 A reply haa (been, received‘from the Minister of Railway; to a, request made in April that'tramwaymen, fire brigadesmen and power House workers ets.j should have excursion railway concessions which their occupation prjjventa them using at holiday perHon. W. B Taverner states that the request cannot be acceded to. jt is recognised, he says, that they cannot take their holidays at Christmas and Easter but there are frequent other occasions when excursion tickets are authorised.

Similar requests have been made on behalf -of other sections of the community and the question must be regarded in the light of a request for general reduction, of fares. After full consideration by the Department he had concluded that traffic accruing from such a reduction would not counter-balance the loss on fares'of a passenger who: otherwise would pay full rates.