RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3580, 16 September 1920, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSN.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the committee of the Taihape District R.S.A. was held last night, Mr. L. E. Norriss presiding. The minutes' of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence relating to the inadequacy of the present scale of pensions was read. It -was the genera! opinion that the maximum pension for total disablement of £2 per week was not adequate when the scale- "was drawn up, and since, then there has been an increase of about 80 pe,r cent, in the cost of living. The Minister had recently stated that the request of the Returned Soldiers' Association for an increase of 75 per cent, in the scale of pensions could not possibly be granted, as it would cost the country an additional £1,000,00.

The committee decided that a meeting of all returned soldiers, particularly those in receipt of pensions, and all dependents of disabled or deceased soldiers, be called for 8 o'clock on 29th inst., for the purpose of considering the best means of presenting a demand that the pensions scale be increased in proportion to the increase in the cost of living.

Correspondence in connection with the rejection of an application for the lease of sixty acres of Crown Land by a returned soldier was read. The official correspondence showed that the soldier had applied for the loose of the sixty acres, and that the lessee of about 70,000 acres of adjoining land, had also applied, with the result that the application of the big landowner was granted. The secretary was instructed to ask the Commissioner of Crown Lands for

an explanation. In connection with the purchase of a local estate by the Government and the settlement theron of four outside .returned soldiers without a ballot, the secretary was instructed to represent the matter to Headquarters.

The secretary reported that the iinafc details in connection with the settlement of the Otamakapua Block at Oningaiti had been arranged, and "that the selectors could go on to the land and put up their fences immediately. Arrangements for the holding of the annual ball on Thursday next were made, and it was decided that the fo,rtnightly series of dances be dis-

continued. The secretay was instructed to represent to the Dominion Executive that as no commission is charged on money orders issued to returned soldiers for repayment of instalment 1 mortgages o'r of valuation , fees under the D.S.S. Act, money orders issued for

repayment of, Repatriation loans should also be free of commission. Several' minor matte-? wor 1 discussed, and the meeting adjourned. •