REPATRIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1919, Page 8

REPATRIATION.

NEW PLYMOUTH COMMITTEE. A meeting of the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee was held last evening, there being present: Messrs C. H. Weston, W. J. Chanev, T. Furlong, C. Carter, F. W. Okey, J. R. Rowlands, T. C. List, H. R. Cattley, E. B. Ellerm, R. J. Clarke, and the secretary (Mr. Allen). The secretary reported that si.v exsoldiers had applied for particulars of lands and houses, which had been duly forwarded to the Commissioner foY Lands. An application for sustenance from an ex-soldier whilst he was endeavoring to obtain employment was referred to the executive with power to act. Three applications for loans for furniture were received, and. will bo considered by the executive, as will an application for assistance from a returned soldier to purchase an interest in his father's business. A North Taranaki ex-soldier wrote. asking if he was eligible for financial help in purchasing a house. He was a discharged Imperial soldier, having seen service in the .Soudan and South Africa; he enlisted with the Third Reinforcements, afterwards being transferred to the ,4th Reinforcements, from which he was discharged for being over age. Later he joined the 19th Reinforcements, was found medically unfit for overseas service, and was temporarily employed on the instructional stair. He was a widower with five children. The secretary reported that the Lands and Survey Department had notified that applicant was not eligible under the Act for help in the direction mentioned. To obtain it he must have been in camp at the signing of the armistice and discharged fit, or else had service overseas. Members considered this an injustice and anomaly that should be brought under the notice of the authorities. It was shown that a man need only have been in camp two days and be eligible for the benefits under the Act dealing with land for ex-soldiers, whilst another who had done everything he could to get away and rendered valuable service at home was debarred, as in this case. It was resolved to bring the matter under the attention of the authorities.