RETURNED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10291, 28 May 1919, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE DISCUSSION AS TO ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 27. At the Returned Soldiers’ Conference, a proposal, “That" any person who had worn the King’s uniform during the present war and had been honourably discharged should be eligible for election as associate members without the right to vote to Returned Soldiers’ Association,” wins submitted by the Auckland Association. It was contended that this would enable the associations to officially take. up the cudgels on behalf of men who 1 had been discharged from camp. However, it was pointed out that, adoption of the remit would entitle Boy Scouts and ethers to become associate members. The proposal was thrown out on the voices. ■

A proposal that veterans of Wars other than the present one, who could show a clean discharge, could qualify for admission as members of Returned Soldiers’ Associations was moved by Mr McOallum (Christchurch). Mr Andrews (Auckland) said the associations would be proud to admit to their ranks old veterans, hut would object to-men who had served in other wars, but who had successfully appealed against ■ service 1 in the present war. (Applause.) Ho moved an amendment to this effect.

Mr Melling (Auckland) seconded the amendment. He knew of a South African veteran ’ whose service then was in the Remount Department, and who contended .that, this service excused him from service in this war.- . Mr Leadley (Christchurch) said that the spirit of. the amendment ‘was wrong. The South African veterans carried the spirit of the soldiers. Mr Melling pointed • out that a certain Labour leader who had served in the South African war had since been imprisoned for twelve months for sedition. The motion would entitle this man to join the association. ... Mr Leadley: W.e could use our discretion about ..admitting:-him.?-' ■ | Members You couldn’t help admitting him.—the rules would compel you.

Tlie amendment was lost on the voices, and the original motion also lost' by a large- majority.. Mr Brown (Wanganui) moved that a federation: bo formed with the’ South •African Veterans’ Association . and other organisations of veterans to deal with any matters that may be of common concern, , ‘ ai-iui ■

..Mr. Malone. (Napier) -moved ‘‘anamendment that the conference’ affirm the •principle of admitting veterans of South African and other wars, but that consideration of the matter be deferred for twelve. months.

Mr Pridham (Wanganui) said the motion did not intend that veterans of other wars should be admitted to membership of the association, but that (he association should affiliate. The ; amendment was ,(earned i to- ‘ja Ergo majority., ~. . 1 : !> ?4 LABOUR’S FELICITATIONS.

Mr Hiram Hunter, secretary of the, United Federation of Labour, wrote’ extending fraternal greetings to the delegates, and stating that the association had the cordial support of the federation. The federation, he said,was prepared to 00-operate with the association to attain its objects, iio enclosed copies. of a xnanifoste.-.by f,the national - executive dtolihg:. until -the subject of repatriation. The annual conference of the federation would be held in Wellington in July, and if there was any matter which the association wished to lay before toe. conference it would be welcomed and, duly dealt with. In the meantime, the national executive of the federation was at ihe service, and hoped the conference would be as successful as they desired.—-Tho letter:;-was .received, SAMOAN ADVANCE PARTY. The Wellington Association forwarded a «remit that the regulations governing admission to membership be extended to include all members of the Samoan , advance party. It was stated that men had been given an opportunity to leave the force without actual discharge who had’ not rejoined the expeditionary force. All’ Luxford (Waikato) said no man who went to Samoa originally knew what he was in for; they, therefore, deserved the same privileges as those who had actually sailed for other fields. v

Mr Rivers (Hastings) said he had been a member of tlie Some an force, and on leaving Samoa the men had ■been told on parade that they were a disgrace to the King’s uniform, and felt sore on account of this. Although they had been actually under active service conditions, a lot of the men (belonged to the Railway Battalion, and their services had been retained later bj the department. ; , The remit was adopted. THE ASSOCIATION'S NEWSPAPER.

The adoption of the report of tho board of management of “Quick March” newspaper was moved. ' Mr Dalhousio (Auckland) said . the conference would like an assurance that only returned soldiers were employed on tho'•staff. Mr Batten (Wellington; said tho associate-editor was Mr L. S. Fanning, who was not a returned soldier, but his appointment had. been made after •full consideration. It was possible that, consideration would bo given ■shortly to-the, appointment of a permanent editor. In >a further discussion, a reference was made to the manner in which tho paper had succeeded, J't •was pointed out. that its ■ circulation, however, amongst returned men was capable of very considerable improvement.—The report was adopted, and. a ■committee sot up to consider ways and moans of improving tho 'circulation and the usefulness of tho newspaper. It was decided to refer the question of tho basis of representation at the conference to the organisation committee. •

UNAUTHORISED WEARING OF

RIBANDS

“That as returned men in country districts find difficulty in obtaining the 1914-15 riband and service chevrons tho Defence Department be. requested to supply tho sumo,” was thotest 'of a remit moved by Mr Gomel,' representing the Hawera Association. 3lr .Mailing (Auckland) urged that tho Gvernipent should be called on to call in nil snob ribands from tho drapery establishments in which they were on sale and that a list of men entitled

to the riband bo drawn up. He' gave instances ■ of- men who were-wearing tfi’e 1 1914-15 riband who were hot entitled to it.

Mr Brandon (Wellington) said the only free-issue of-ribands by the War Office was nine inches of riband with a medal. He gave instances of men jn New Zealand wearing the 1914-15 riband and even.,the,,, Allied .riband/ which he understood could be obtained In Auckland, when those ribands were unauthorised.

Mr Andrews (Auckland) expressed the opinion that ribands should bo sold only by , licensed firms who must assure themselves of the bona fides of a pur-, chaser before supplying him. He alto gave an instance of a man wearing a wound stripe when he had only 'been to Samoa.

The original remit was "carried and Mr Moiling then-moved a motion embracing his remarks,; but after discussion it was decided to leave the drafting of a motion on the matter, to the legal committee set up earlier in the day. ' ' ' ’

DISPOSAL OF PAiraOTTO .FUNDS-. Considerable discussion took place on a remit from Wanganui as follows: “That this association asks : that lation bo passed to; give, wider ‘powers to disburse the various funds now in the.. hands of the various patriotic bodies, so that they, may bo made, available for the assistance ,«{. fit men as well as sick and wounded.”

The chairman ..said . there-.;was n 0 question that the Government,. or, rather, the Minister for Internal Affairs, would attempt to, collar .those funds for hia own .pet, .schemes. For instance, Jt was .. suggested .. that, they, might he used.,for_ : sumptive soldiers... .Thatadaa iwas preposterous.. ..The. matter, ’was a. Government purely, and. simply, it would ho considered ,tf>.:he, a. piece of unmitigated thieving if the Government • took those. moneys which’ had been philantliropically subscribed. If it had not, been for the patriotic* societies, the Government would have found itself forced. long ago to . adopt some scheme tq deal with'conditions a* they, arose, ■. . . .oitwi H-.r.Or if* .! i

Mr' Loadley (CKriafehurob): instanced the Minister ! e ref usal rto -transfer . tho local Lady Liverpool Fund’© surplus to the Christchurch Returned . Soldiers’; Association's building fund, which was gazetted as. a warfund. - Mr Andrews (Auckland) ’ said' that many people 'had...: made, immense profits out: of tho war,- but h*d, given not a single! penny:^..to -ipatridtio funds, which the so-oalled National Government Vnow- proposed to take ia s order to protect such people from taxation. Every means should he used to see dhat the, Government did not stop in and .take the • money that should he , used for assisting , the soldier.

The chairman remarked that he knew that .. patriotic bodies through the country; were very sore at the ate; titude of the Minister,.; for- Inferpial ; Ate,fairs towards the they;.had; nursed so"carefully < for lonr years. The remit, was. carried. unanimously.- . VARIOUS REMITS. _; •; *^r. The following" remits were also carried : ; ■ , ■■■ | from Auckland:, That tha conference views "with* alarm and Indignation the apparent intention of the Government to take away from, the .various ■patriotic associations ;funds now in their! hands.

From Napier - . That the Government be strongly , urged to ' extend legislation to permit the executive of the Lady Liverpool'-Fund/' Raft’d 'fundi with 'sinular'objects, “ td ’expend their' funds at "their dM oordanoe #ith‘*'the r spirit and. objects for. which r ihoy' were raised. The executive' submitted a remit, which ■was-.' 'passed,, reading., tp-- fol-_ laws: “That it be a to • the Government that for' the purpose of inclusion under, the benefits conferred by the vVar Pensions • and Repatriation; Acts, returned ! soWiefe who were domiciled in New Zealand prior' to the war, and served with a force other than the New Zealand. Expeditionary Horoe, shall he ‘eligible only on proof being' shown that’ they enlisted in New Zealand: prior to' such service with another force. ’’ ' *!-T! The following remit from Invercargill was negatived: ‘.'That the present system of giving, the. same privileges to soldiers who were in camp at • the time the Armistice was. signed- as, to those who had left Now Zealand be discontinued.” A remit from Palmerston North urged: “That in the reorganisation of the Defence Department and staff, active service men’take preference.’-’ The chairman remarked that as far as experience was concerned, the matter was practically a “wash-out.’’ —lf General Richardson, .accomplished' - as much in the next three months as he had done in-the last three weeks there' very soon would-he none but active service men employed. .'- ; Tho remit was adopted.