RETURNED SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association was held on Tuesday evening in the association’s club rooms, the president (Mr W. F. Forrester) occupying the chair. MEMBERSHIP. Eight nominations for membership were approved and one resignation was accepted. POPPY DAY. The Poppy Day and Unemployment Committee reported that financial assistance had been granted to some applicants and others had been referred to the Patriotic Society. It had been decided to call for all returned men affected by the Soldiers’ Civil Rehabilitation Act to register at the association's rooms. Over 90 men had so far registered.—The report was adopted. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. A circular letter was received announcing that the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association would be commenced in Wellington on June 23, and that the association was entitled to send three delegates.—Messrs W. F. Forrester, P. S. Anderson, and O. L. Ferens (secretary) were appointed as delegates. It was also decided that, if thought advantageous, Mr H. L. Paterson, should accompany the delegates. WAR PENSIONS BOARD. In reply to the association’s letter urging the retention of Sir Walter Stringer as chairman of the War Pensions Appeal Board, headquarters wrote stating that the matter had been placed before the Minister of Pensions, who had promised to bring it to the notice of Cabinet. No reply had yet been received, and it was intended to approach the Minister again. Received. UNOCCUPIED FARM LANDS. Headquarters -wrote in reply to the association’s communication asking for preference to be given to ex-servicemen when the Unemployment Board’s scheme to rehabilitate unoccupied farms was being considered. The letter stated that it was felt that if all returned soldiers’ holdings which had been abandoned were retained for ex-soldiers the public would insist that the abandoned farms of civilian farmers should be re-occupied only by civilians. Many of the latter farms were better propositions than the soldiers’ holdings, and,. under the scheme proposed by the committee, these, as well as the others, would be open to soldiers.—Received. TAPANUI REUNION. The president reported on the reunion held recently at Tapanui. It had been a very successful gathering, and 10 new members had been obtained.