RETURNED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10293, 30 May 1919, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

VARIOUS R£I«'OK3IS SUGGESTED

BY AVAR WAIMMOES

Press Association.

OHRISTCHUKOH, May 29,

At tho New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Conference, remits dealing with tubercular and venereal cases were considered. In regard to the former, it was agreed that the Government was attempting to cope with the position, but the sanatoria accommodation was insufficient, and a resolution was passed protesting against the attitude of the residents ot Deronport winch forced the authorities to close Narrow Keck Camp. Tho delay in getting men fitted with artificial limbs was discussed, and a remit was carried to the elfect that an expert should be obtained, and placed in, charge of the central factory, and better allowances and accommodation provided for limbless men when away from home for treatment.

The committee's recommendations in regard to pay and gratuities wera adopted, and it was agreed to advocate that the ration allowance of -2s to undischarged soldiers, out-patients nt hospitals, be increased immediately to 4s per day. The matter of demanding an extra, shilling a day for members of the tunnelling corps, to bring the pay to 6"s, Ihe British rate, wa3 referred to thn incoming executive.

In connection with allowances to widowed mothers, it was decided to approach the Government to have sucii put on a better tooting. A remit which was referred by the conference to its medical committee was from .Invercargill, and was to the effect that the Government be strongly urged to abolish hospital blue for those in hospital. In the course of its report, the committee said it was of the opinion that the objection to hospital blue was caused by the disgrace-fully-fitting "garments at present" issued. The committee recommended that the Minister for Defence be urged to hasten the fulfilment of his promise to hare a proper-fitting garment on issue. The president said that properly-fitting blues were now being issued by the Government as fast as they could 5o supplied. He thought, .inifairness-to -the department,.the.eon : ference should recognise it was attempting to tackle the question. Sir Dalhousie (Auckland) moved an amendment that the regulations regarding blue uniforms should be extended to include officers. After some discussion, Mr Dalhousie, amidst, ap-. plause, withdrew his amendment, and the remit and the committee's report were passed. At to-night's sitting of the conference Mr Bullen moved on Mr Jacob's behalf to rescind the motion carried at the afternoon sitting in favour of retrospective officers' pay. Mr Elliott moved an amendment: "That retrospective pay.be asked only for second lieutenants." z The amendment was lost on the voices .'and the motion defeated by, 28,-.t02G.. : iA subsequent motion that no action should be taken in the matter for la months was carried.,

It was unanimously agreed that tho headquarters should defray the expenses of secretaries at the secretaries' conference. ... ...,,

Mr Harper, a. member of the Pen Sons Board, addressed the conference on pensions administration and answered numerous questions, receiving a hearty vote of thanks on concluding. The legal committee submitted the following resolution: "That a bill ba introduced into Parliament for ■ the purpose of having April 25th made a close holiday, to be called Anzac Day, in commemoration of those who had" fallen in the great war. Tho bill shall also provide that on Anzac Day all places of business and amusement shall be closed, also all hotels." The following definition of returned soldier was adopted: "Returned soldier shall. mean those persons who have 6erved in or with His Majesty's Forces oversea during the great war, and have been honourably discharged or are awaiting honourable discharge." The following recommendation of tho legal committee was adopted: "That the Military Decorations and Distinc tive Badges include the riband in addition to tho relative order or medal, and further' giving the Governor-General in Council power to make regulations safeguarding the sale of ribands to unauthorised persons."

At the morning session of the- conference th© following motion was passed: "That all remaining remits bearing on the question of political action be considered as disposed of."