R.S.A. NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3503, 15 June 1920, Page 6

R.S.A. NEWS.

INTRODUCTORY.

, By Special anangement. between the “Taihape Daily Times" '.and the Pl - trict Returned Soldiers’ Association, this column will in future’ be deV"o‘£Cd to the interests of returned soldiers and to the work" of the Returned‘ Soldiers’ Association. In initiating this -feature, I would like to impress upon all returned soldiers the urgent need, in their own interests, of keeping in close touch with the work of the"'R.S.A., which is at the present time one of the most pot'.eni“fa'ctors for good in New ‘Zealand. Owing to the largely-im creased membership, it is obviously impossible to keep all the members throughout a scattered district fully informed regarding the Work which is being accomplished by their great national organisation; and it is “hoped that the adoption of this scheme of giving publicity to R-.‘S.A. matters will be of benefit. to the returned soldiers and to the general public as well. E. LENIHAN, ’ Secretary R.S.A., Taihape. THE RECENT CONFERENCE. 39'-‘.“""" The conference of Associations, which was held at Wellington recently, was marked by a number of strong features, the most remarkable of which was the apparent liostilifty of local associations to Headquarters in the early stages of ‘the conference. The hostility was never veiled, but was open and honest, and very blunt at times. However, as Conference progressed, and the -reports of the various committees were brought down ,the hostility waned, and the most bitterly hostile ofthe delegates were quite convinced at the end of the sessions that they had had no genuine grievances after all. The position now is that the good Work of Headquarters isl fully recognised and appreciated, and whatever cause there may have been for criticism was largely the fault. of local associations.

Perhaps the best work accomplished by the Conference was the clearing up the diiferences between the T.B. men and the R.S.A. Owing to mis~ guided zeal on the part of one or two of the patients at Pukeora Sanatorium, ~and the publicity given to their attempt to cut adrift-' £l-om, the‘R.S.A. and form an Association of TB. men, the public may have believed thatthe T_B. men had been neglected; but the conference, arid the deputation to the ‘Prime Minister, effectively closed the breach, am} the T.B. men are now thoroughly well satisfied.

The previous opponents of the veterans of other wars being admitted to membershlp changed thelr ldeas dunng the interval since the Christchurch conference, and the position now is that those who servedfin the Boer

War, or in any other war with a British force, are eligible for active membérship of the R.S.A. and are entitled to wear the badge. Land settlement and housing problems occupied a. good deal of the time of the C»;mfcl’once, and it is pleasing to ‘INTO that these important questions were cmlsidero<l from the viewpoint of 11a.ti01ml efficiency, and not lnorely as matx‘.(‘:s affecting only returned sol:l’.¢:s. The Lands Committee is busily exmfloyed in drafting proposals, X\‘lll’_'l). ihe (w‘uvcl'nmenr will be urged to ‘adopt.

The eeestion of ixnnrigration was discussed from a national and Imperial standpoint, and the Coirference was strongly of opinion that ex-Imperial soldiers should be encouraged to emigrate to New Zealand. It was also considered that they should be entitled to I'epatl'iation {and land isettlement. benefits, and that a fund for this purpose should be provided by the Imperial Government and adm:in.’Lstered by the New Zealand Government. Since the deputation from the (‘onference waited on .t.1~.e Prime Minister and the Minister of Lands, the applications of soldiers for loans to purchase houses or land are again being received. The temporary stoppage of the advances to purchase houses had the efii'eet of telnporul'ily reducing values of house property in We]flington, but while stressing this particular fact, Ihe ;\[inisrer of Lands denied that tthere had been any stoppage of advances whatever.

I GENERAL NOTES. Cream separators truly be purchased through the Repatrizition Deparhnent. at 20 per cent. less than usual retail i prices. ' i Subscriptions for curl'e_nt year are {now due, and should be paid immed=iately. Members in arrears will be listed as unfinancial at Headuarters. “In ‘the R.S.A. I have found my isoul.” Dr. Boxer at the smoke concert to conference delegates at We]lington. Conference financial committee recommends that capitation to ‘Headquarters be increascd from 2/- to 3/ on new members. District organisation scheme, as at present constituted, will probably be discontinued, and capitation reduced. Provincial conferences will be held quarterly if new scheme is adopted. i 'l\leli'ii3£-rs of other Associations who are resident at 'l‘a'lhapc should transfer to tire local bnanch, tmd take an active part intlie work. “The R.S.A. is not :1 charitable organisation. It hates the very idea of charity in relation to iliose who have given the community far more than the conimunity can ever repay.”—Exltract from Auckland R.S.;\. peace memorial booklet.

Manawatu Patriotic Society requires the names of all returned soldiers who were resident in the Manawatu dis-

trict for three months prior to enlistment. on account. of proposed distn bution of funds.

General Birdwood is to be enrolled as a, meln.bm~ of fhc 'l,)mledin R.S.A. this week.