Defence Minister Replies to Criticism By Dunedin R.S.A. Executive

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26631, 29 November 1947, Page 6

Defence Minister Replies to Criticism By Dunedin R.S.A. Executive

Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. Remarks reported to have been made by certain members of the Dunedin Returned Services’ Association at its meeting on Tuesday night were replied to by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, this evening. He said that, judging from the statements made, it would seem that they were opposed to legislation brought down recently by the Government which compelled owners to let homes which were unoccupied. “I always understood that this organisation was a branch of the N.Z.R.S.A., and that it sent delegates to the annual conference and that the decisions of the conference were binding on all members,” said Mr Jones. “It would seem that in an endeavour to score off the Government, certain members are prepared to ignore resolutions passed at the annual Dominion conference.”

The Minister quoted a resolution published in the September issue of the R.S.A. Review—" That this Dominion Council hereby approves the action of the Dominion Executive Committee in seeking legislative provision whereby owners and landlords of unoccupied houses and baches would he required to find tenants within a period of two months, and in default tenants to be found by the Government.”

Mr Jones said that surely members of the local executive read their journal, in which a very full report was given of the remits passed at the 1947 annual Dominion conference. Even if they did not, they still should have a knowledge of what transpired at the conference as the district vice-president was also present. “ They should also be aware of the fact that the resolution was placed before the Government and, in addition to this, that their Dominion Executive made a number of representations to the Government urging that the legislation, for which the Government accepts full responsibility, be introduced,” said the Minister. Two Conferences Held "Before the measure was brought before Parliament, the Prime Minister, on May 12, held a conference, which was attended, together with others, by two representatives of the N.Z.R.S.A. and one representative of the Wellington branch,” Mr Jones went on. Later, on November 18, the Prime Minister received a deputation from the N.Z.R.S.A., and at both meetings the delegates asked that all houses, including seaside houses, be included in the Bill. The Government, however, excluded seaside baches and cribs, but the legislation as passed will cover 7100 houses in towns and cities which have been recorded as unoccupied. “I am of the opinion,” he added, “that if members have the interest of servicemen at heart they would welcome this measure and, instead of indulging in cheap criticism of the Government, would support their Dominion organisation in their endeavour to assist its memebrs by having the legislation placed on the Statute Book. Might I suggest that those members who took up the attitude as reported would be well advised to spend more time in studying the resolutions of the Dominion conference in • order that they, may get a better appreciation of why the legislation was introduced? ” R.S.A. Conference Remit “It may be of interest to mention,” Mr Jones continued, “ that in addition to the support of the N.Z.R.S.A., the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Association passed the following remit at its last annual conference —‘That this conference supports the proposed Government action for the taking over of tenantless houses.’

“I am sure that servicemen without homes will not appreciate the attitude of members of the executive of the Dunedin R.S.A. who are reported to have spoken as they did at their last meeting,” he concluded.