R.S.A.

Southland Times, Issue 18859, 26 June 1920, Page 6

R.S.A.

81-MONTHLY MEETING. THE D.S.S. ACT SUSPENSION. The bi-monthly inerting of (he Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night, Mr D. Rae presiding over a good attendance of members. llii' Hibernian Band wrote tendering its resignation as the official band of the Association, stating that it did not want to put the Association in a difficult position when the question of hands was under discussion. The chairman, in moving the acceptance of the resignation, said (hat the Hibernian Band had stood by the Association, turning out whenever required in full numbers. The resignation war, accepted, the Hibernian Band to be thanked for its valuable serviceo. The meeting then went into committee to discuss the hand question, and a resolution, which was confirmed in open meeting, was carried, that there be no official band of the Vssoeiation. In connection with the land settlement question it was resolved; “That this nicrt’m* of returned soldiers having taken into "nnskleration the .statements of the Prime Minister mu! the Minister of Lands, regarding the finance of the dominion, and the present scheme of advances under the Dis■harged Soldiers’ Settlement Act in further increasing the price of land, still considers that the only equitable and honourable course open for Parliament is, (a) to make tlie benefits of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Art available to all soldiers at • resent entitled to these benefits, and so to avoid penalising many soldiers who have recently returned to New Zealand, or have lately been released from hospital, or have lately completed their period of training under the Repatriation Department; and (b) to provide that any loss incurred in so doing shall be borne by the country as a whole.” In speaking to the motion Mr A. Glass s-aid that there was n danger that the present temporary suspension would become permanent, and the best way of defeating that was to cany war into the enemy’s country. Town meetings were of little avail, ami they should organise meetings throughout the country districts and get the backing of the country members. The suspension of Clause 2 was a particular hardship upon soldiers who were now being discharged from hospital, as they could not get homes- because of tiie suspension of the Art. What they wanted was a guarantee that Parliament would reinstate Clause 2 of the Act. Mr R. B. Caws said that the Association should adopt more progressive policy and convince the public that their policy was not unreasonable. If that course failed then they should consider going to Parliament themselves in an endeavour to get what (hey required. It was no pood passing resolutions and (hen forgetting about them. They should make the pubi'c conversant with all Un-ir v’i hos end gr* its backing. Mr Gilfer’der: Perhaps the principal rea- ■ son that the Government did not cere to ■wiv-nee extensively under the Discharged Sold ; ers’ Settlement Act was the present inflated lanrl values. Mr ILdl-Joncs said that the Government’s land policy had been a failure in so far that it had inflated land values, but the position was difi'crtait with regard to buildings. The advancement in the price of building material had caused the prices of houses to rise in proportion and the rise was permanent. The policy of the Government with regard to land had been to inflate the value beyond the- actual earning rapacity of the land. If the Government adopted a policy of compulsory acquisition, and put more land upon the maiket under the ballot system it would settle the soldier? quicker. Lew were bring settled under the ballot system, and evenday sections were being balloted for. The number of applicants showed that many wore anxious to avail themselves of the ballot. If all the large estates were cut up there would be enough land to supply all the returned men. He advocated that the price should be fixed by a separate board, the owner’s valuation not being taken. Very few men would want, to avail themselves of an idvance under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act if the Government provided leasehold laud for them. With (He little capital (Fry had they would be able to establish themselves on a leasehold. Mr Glass said there was a clause in the ■\ct which stated (hat (he vendor should take a certain proportion of the purchase money in bonds, but as that clause was optional it was inoperativc. The direct result was that any farmer who sold to the Government received his money in cash and started land speculation. A committee consisting of Messrs A, Glass, F. J. Ilall-Joncs, R. B. Caws, W. Murphy, Gilfedder, F. Blake and G. Connor was appointed for the purpose of conducting a campaign in connection with the restoration of Clause 2 of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act.