RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1916, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

CONFERENCE TO BE HELD. DELEGATES TO MEET IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, April 22. An important conference of returned soldiers i? to be held in Wellington on Friday and Saturday of next week. The •gathering was suggested by Captain Donald Simson. who bas recently addressed ■meetings of returned soldiers in many parts of the country. of representation is to be three delegates from each of the cities, two delegates from eacli of the larger towns, and one delegate from each of the smaller towns. ( The conference will discuss the formation of a New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association and various other mattery connected with the welfare of soldiers and dependents. A similar association is already in existence in Australia, and a scheme of joint action may be nyanged. Other topics of discussion ** I be the formation and management of returned soldiers' clubs, and the establish-, nient of information bureaux.

The conference will consider a proposal for the adoption of a returned soldier's badge. A design which will be placed before the delegates by Captain Simson is for a metal badge bearing the inscription ''Returned Soldiers' Association," witli the, name of a military district added. This badge would be worn upon the right breast. Captain Simson has received from the Mayor of Wellington an invitation for all returned soldiers to take part in the memorial service in the Town Hall on the. afternoon of Anzae Ray nnd the meeting in the evening. It has been arranged that a portion of the Town Hall shall fee reserved for the soldiers and their relatives.

Captain Simson has also received from the Wellington Patriotic Society an invitation to all returned soldiers to a dinner, to be followed by a smoke concert, in the Town Hall on Saturday next. Relatives will be invited to occupy seats in the galleries.