THE NEW ARMY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 132, 4 May 1940, Page 6

THE NEW ARMY

R.S.A.’S DEEP INTEREST. WELFARE OF THE MEN. “The outstanding characteristic of the annual council meeting ot the New Zealand R.S.A. was the abundant evidence of the interest of the local branches of the association right throughout . the Dominion in the weliare and the interests of the men of/the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force and their dependants.” Thus stated Mr B. J. Jacobs, of Palmerston North, Dominion vice-president of the R.S.A., when interviewed by the “Manawatu Standard,” to-day, on his return from the conference.

“Approximately 40 per cent, of the remits that were submitted for consideration had direct reference to this new aspect of the work of the association,” Mr Jacobs added. “They embraced every conceivable aspect of the problems to arise from the time when the man enters camp until the time when he is successfully repatriated on his return, and also pension benefits and allowances to the men and their dependants. The results of the discussions of the remits by the committees set up to consider them and report back to the council, as also of the debates in open council that followed, were niost gratifying and the various resolutions that were ultimately passed will in due course be presented to the Government, arid every effort made by the association to have each one put into effect when necessary by legislation. It is confidently hoped that the Government will be guided by the long experience at the disposal of the association and correct, the mistakes and anomalies that occurred when the same problem was last before the Government of the country. Information is to be disseminated among the troops themselves and their next-of-kin, and it is hoped that all will avail themselves of the sendees of the association in any matter intimately concerning themselves in so far as their care and welfare are concerned. COMPULSORY SERVICE.

“As was expected,, some resolutions regarding compulsory universal service were presented to the council, and once again the resolution in the form proposed was carried unanimously,” Mr Jacobs continued. “In this regard it should be borne in mind that this attitude of the .association is not a product of the war. For many years now the association has passed resolutions urging the various Governments of the day to undertake measures for the proper defence of the Dominion, not only as an individual but also as a member of the British Commonwealth—in other words, with a full appreciation of the fact that our defence would probably have, to be undertaken overseas. This was commenced when no other organisation vyas pressing for attention to this vital question. The resolutions passed were progressively comprehensive until in June, 1938, that is, before "the later world tragedies, one was passed with few dissentients urging the introduction of compulsory universal service. This was confirmed unanimously in June, 1939. It is felt that tile delegates, who come from every part of New Zealand, provide a reasonable cross-section of the community and represent, every shade of political opinion. As a non-party political organisation, the delegates are able to.consider and discuss every question submitted to them definitely divorced from politics, and it is with this particular quality the resolution has already been communicated io the Government. It is stressed, too that the resolution does not mean that the association will withdraw the help it has promised and given to the Government in its war effort, but merely that we shall continue our endeavour to have our thrice repeated opinion put into operation, each member realising that he has to bear his part of the service we advocate. “Naturally, in the light of the attitude on defence, very strong resolutions were passed regarding those responsible for subversive propaganda of any sort or those who are in any way disloyal to the defence of our country,” Mr Jacobs concluded. The resolutions t-o which Mr Jacobs refers were to be placed before the Government to-day. ’’