OUR RETURNED MEN.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15088, 3 June 1919, Page 6

OUR RETURNED MEN.

CONCLUSION OF -CONFERENCE.

1 I United Pp.kss Association. J

Christohurch, Juno 2. At the Returned Soldiers' Conference i i was decided to increase the headquarters levy to four shillings, half to *>c repaid to district committees for organisation purposes. It was resolved to meet next year m' Wellington. The chairman said he had received notice of motion that the >■'conference should resent the ambiguity of the "Gazette notice relating to the suing of returned soldiers for debt, and. shouid express the opinion that the inference that returned men needed protection in this direction was distinctly discreditable. In discussion it was pointed out that the regulation was likely to be a boomerang measure, like the prohibition ot distraining on returned soldiers for rent. Ultimately it was accrued that the ">xecutive should take legal advice, and watch carefully the effect of all regulations or legislation dealing with legal processes. The general secretary reported there was a surplus of £1000, accumulated canteen funds, from Trentham and other camps, and the Minister'of Defence iiad asked for a recommendation. The executive suggested tnat vie fundß should form the nucleus of a pension fund for the dependents of soldiers who died in the epidemic, and were not otherwise eligible. This was agreed to. I The conference has concluded. ■ Wellington, June 2. ! The New Zealand "Returned Soldiers' Association has addressed to members of Parliament and public men and bodies in this country a statement of the case for national reconstruction as viewed by the association, and requesting practical support. The main features of the scheme submitted are as follows: — I (1) The Government to require those ■ connected with industry (employed md employing) to furnish a report covering ■; the present and prospective Dominion j requirements of any industry in respect Ito (a) man-power, (b) tariff, (c) capita!, and (d) necessary supplementary industries. j (2) The Government to summon a iJo- ; minion Industrial and Repatriation Conjference to examine and collate reports I with the object of forming a constructive production policy for the whole «>1 the Dominion, to refer particularly tc (a) the best distribution of our available man-power, (b) desirability of advancing State capital for the initiation and development of industries, (c) estabi'Viment of new industries, (d) desirability .of State ownership of particular industries and services, (c) a Dominior i scheme of roading, railways, and comjmunications generally, (f) fiscal policy i for the Dominion, and (g) recommendations for jmi Empire policy. >.