RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3354, 5 December 1919, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OP EXECUTIVE.

- The executive committee of the Tai- j " hape and district B.S.A. met at the j Fir e Brigade Hall on Tuesday evening, Mr L. E. Norris presiding. Messrs P. Coyle and T. Vile attended as delegates from the Ohingaiti Sub-Associa-tion, and Mr H. Johnston represented the Mangaweka branch. The Chairman welcomed the visiting delegates, and stated that their presence indicated that progress was being made with the work of organisation. On behalf of the Taihape and District Association, the President, Vice-President, and other members of the Committee extended a hearty welcome to the delegates. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary reported that the increase in the membership had been satisfactory. Since be had taken up the position in August last, 174 members had been enrolled. Since Ist April last the increase had been 214. In October 38 members were enrolled, and the increase during the month of November totalled 22. There should be a further satisfactory increase in the membership, as it cannot bo supposed that the number of members represents the full number of men who nave returned to the district. During the visit of Colonel Mitchell, a SubAssociation was formed at Mangaweka, and an effort had been made to establish Sub-Associations at Raetihi and Ohakune. These efforts failed at the time on account of the strong feeling, in favour of the establishment of a 'Waimarino Association. At the invitation .of the returned soldiers of the Eaetihi district, he had again visited Raetihi on 7th November, when the previous resolution was rescinded, and it was decided to form a Sub-Associa-tion to Taihape. In view of this decision, the Ohakune and Rangataua returned soldiers will probably take similiar action, and carry on as a Sub-Association until the membership warrants the formation of another Association. In the meantime a Sub-As-sociation had been formed at Obingaiti, and was in a strong position already. Since the previous meeting a number of grievances had been represented" on behalf of returned soldiers, especially with regard to pension matters, and application forms and information had been supplied to several returned soldiers desirous of taking np land or purchasing houses. Headquarters had been asked to supply several copies of reports, circulars, etc., for the information of Sub-Assoeia-tions, and the request had been acceded to. A free postage concession, amounting to £3 10/ per annum had been granted to the local Association, and is being availed of at present. Th e travelling Medical Foard will .visit Taihape on 10th December, and will meet the representatives of the Association. The questions drawn up by the .Political Questions Sub-Committee had been placed before the candidates for Oroua, Eangitikei, and Wiaimarino, but. the only written reply received so far had been from Mr F. P. Brady. Mr Glenn had replied to the questions on the platform, and Mr R. W. Smith had also replied. The President and other members of the Committee congratulated the Secretary on the satisfactory position of the Association, and the report was adopted. ! Several circulars from headquarters were read and discussed. It was decided that any action re assistance for Miss Ettie Rout be suspended pending receipt of further adviee from the Dominion Executive. Re appointment of solicitors under the D.S.S. Act Amendment, the secretary's action in forwarding a list of names of local solicitors for selection was approved, and the secretary was instructed to procure the scale of fees when made available by the UnderSecretary for Lands, and supply same to the Sub-Associations. The statement of the general policy of the N.Z.R.S.A., which was drawn up for submission to candidates and for publication was discussed. It wa s decided that the statement be handed to the Press for publication and submitted to the political candidates.

The Secretary was appointed to interview the travelling Medical Board, advertise the itinerary, and notify returned soldiers that those who wish to appear before the Board for reexamination should notify the Secretary of the Association. Mr Coyle (Ohingaiti) said that his Committee had taken it upon them- s selves to recommend two men who were not receiving adequate pensions, and these men would be sent up for I . examination by the Board. AnAuckland resolution to the effect' thai ftimbless men were satisfied with the treatment received from a private firm of limb-makers in Auckland was

supported. The action of the secretary in giving permission to Mr T. 'Shute, Junr., and Mr Snelling to hold a d'ance at Moawhango In aid of the Club funds was endorsed, and it was decided that the

gentlemen named be thanked for their offer.

It was decided that no further action be taken re the Clemens case until the matter had been mor e fully considered.

Mr Coyle reported that the Secretary of the Ohingaiti Sub-Association had been busily engaged in enrolling members. The chief concern of this Sub-Association was to secure the acquisition of land for closer settlement. For this purpose a. special Land Commitetee had' been formed, Und the owners of all large holdings suitable for settlement were being approached. It was hoped xthat they would secure a large area of land for settlement. Some of Hhe properties had already been* brought under the notice of the Minister*of Lands at his request, and h e thought some of the estates would be cut up. Land was being acquired everywhere, while a large number of soldiers were in need of land.

Mr Lenihan suggested that any land offered should be acquired under Section 3 of the Act, which would do away with the need for a ballot and ensure that local men were placed, [f they did not have a sufficient number of men at Ohingaiti to settle the land made available, they could draw upon the ninety-six prospective farmers in the Taihape Association. Mr Johnston (Mangaweka) outlined .the work which had already been done by the Mangaweka Sub-Associ-ation. They had not secured a great many new members, as nearly all of their sixty-three members had been enrolled by the Taihape Association; but they hoped to do good work, which would be of benefit to them and to the Taihape Association.

A vote of thanks to the visiting delegates was carried by acclamation, and a vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.