R.S.A. Seeks Relief for Distressed Men

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 380, 14 June 1928, Page 12

R.S.A. Seeks Relief for Distressed Men

USE OF CANTEEN FUNDS HOUSING AND SETTLEMENT Press Association. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. That this year’s interest on the Canteen funds should be devoted to the relief of distress among returned soldiers is a request to be made to the Canteen Board. The annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was continued to-day, when it was reported that the special committee had interviewed the Canteen Board and made the above request. While the three members could not commit the board, they were very sympathetic, and it was hoped when the board met next month its decision would be favourable to the association’s request. The committee pointed out the need was as great this year as a year ago. Mr. 11. L. Patterson, of Dunedin, reported he had interviewed the Minister of Lands. The Minister said the present financial position did not favour further loans under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act for housing. It had not been repealed, but at the present time it was inoperative. LAND SETTLEMENT In regard to land settlement, a large number of blocks were vacant, and although the price had been reduced by 50 per cent., many were still vacant. If applications were not received from returned soldiers the blocks would be thrown open for settlement. Remits carried included the following:— That the proper institutions should be approached with a view to arranging that, so far as is consistent with public policy, the fact that a wrongdoer is a returned soldier should not be emphasised.

That it be a recommendation to headquarters that it is desirable that a limbless representative from each of the main centres should attend the annual general conference of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, all travelling and general expenses to be met by the centre concerned; prior to the conference the four limbless representatives to hold a separate meeting to discuss limbless men’s affairs, and appoint one of their number to represent the New Zealand limbless men at the conference.

That trophies presented to local bodies throughout the Dominion should not be made the subject of political or sectional propaganda, and that this council endorses the action of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association in opposing their removal. That in view of the desirable results which the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association received from addresses by individual members of its executive to the children of the schools on Anzac Day, this conference recommends to

associations the adoption of a similar course as fully as can be carried out. OFFICERS ELECTED The following 1 officers were elected: President, General Sir Andrew IT. Russell; vice-president, Mr. W. Perry; treasurer, Mr. J. D. Harper; executive, Messrs. A. McHutcheon and J. M. White (Otago), E. F. Wilcox and G. W. Lloyd (Canterbury), S. A. Carr and M. Aldred (Auckland). R. G. Munro. A. T. Duncan and C. W. Batten (Wellington) ; executive standing sub-com-mittee, Messrs. Munro, Duncan, Batten, Perry and Harper; canteen regimental trust fund, Mr. M. Aldred; New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr. Newton McConachie. Mr. J. J. Clark is to be asked to represent the South African War Veterans’ Association on the Dominion executive.