RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 20 October 1919, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

OTAKI BRANCH DISCUSSES WAR GRATUITIES.

An extraordinary general meeting of the Otaki Returned' Soldiers.' Association was held in Brights' Theatre cm Friday night to consider a notice of motion tabled by Mr A. K. Rudkin, which read as follows:— "That the Otaki-branch of the R.S.A. urges that legislation be. introduced tins session to provide for the payment of. war gratuities on the part of "all" men killed in action, or who have died while on active, service."

i T -B Tii<>: presided. members. Captain i. 1.. i After the notice of motion had boon I read he expressed regret that the mattcr had been brought, forward, especi- , allv as Mr Field, M.P., had telegraphed saying the subject was under consideration bv the Government. The majority j of men, said the chairman, who had left New Zealand had relatives, and only J a few had not benefitted by the gratuity scheme. It was certainly hard that a sister of a soldier who had been dependent on the brother, who had been Wiled or died while on active service. should receive nothing. Mr Harold .Tones, in whose hands the motion was left owing to Mr Rudku.'.s unavoidable absence, stated that it had been said that the R.S.A. was out for self, but this was a big mistake, neither were thev out for themselves o» this occasion, but only to help those dependent on comrades who had lost their lives Some soldiers had left their wills in favour of sisters, but the Governrncnt would not pay out. in all cases- i they used their discretion. If a single man had no father or mother it. now ] meant that his next-of-kin received no gratuity. This was not the thing- he | soldier had died for his country and the , next-of-kin was entitled to considcration. Mr Jones then moved the resolution, which was seconded by Mr G. j Pepper. . . , Mr Atmorc said in his opinion the j matter should not have been brought forward, and pointed out that if a man j had been killed his wife or children got the gratuity, but if he had none it wont to his parents. The motion only applied where no parents were living, and the question was, Who was going to receive the gratuity? He considered no stranger was entitled to it, pointed out that it was only a very exceptional ease, where there were no dependents, and though the motion unnecessary. He was afraid the returned soldiers were not doing much good for themselves and instanced the march on Parliamentary Buildings, when they were brought into disrepute. He advised all to take things reasonably, preserve their reputation, and realise that if they lost tueir reputation they would get a "rotten spin. Mr Jones pointed.out that according to'the E.S.A. rules the Association was formed to protect, the. interests of soldiers. This matter, although it only affected a small majority, gave the Association the right to do something for relatives. He considered it unfair that a sister who had been dependent on a brother should.be made to suffer and maintained the sister should be entitled to a gratuity. The Association should ,ce that justice was done, and he , pointed out that as the dead soldier Ld well earned his gratuity his nest-of-kin was justly entitled to it. j Mr \tmore pointed out that as the , matter was before the House it was . ;S to discuss ». He stated that £ gratuity was for services rendered, and the extension was under consider,- J "'The Chairman considered the gratui- | ties should be paid to next-of-kin proSalt was for a sister or cousin who had Veen **«*«* on the . iolther Slled but as the matter was being conS by Parliament he favoured letiS the Matter stand over and se what decision was arrived at He Thought it wrong to dictate erument at present, but if fair play w. not meted xmt, the Associations should combine and ask for justice. Captain Bax also referred to what he considered disgKiceful proceedings on behalf of returned soldiers in causing the recent demonstration at Wellington and said no one was more disgusted than he when he read ihe report of the pro eeedings. The matter was one that mc returned soldiers a lot of harm, anc there was no doubt some or the leader, were now sorry. The motion on being put was declas* lost.