RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1919, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

OUTSPOKEN AND VIGOROUS CRITICISM. OF GOVERNMENT'S INERTIA AND FAILURE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The Dominion executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association, which met in Wellington at the week-end, discussed many questions of national importance, The official report of business done states that the question was rawed as to whether the association could give it* official support to the candidature of returned soldiers in municipal elections. The executive resolved that, while the association was of opinion that returned men as citizens should have a kesn interest in civie affairs, the association as an organisation could not officially Bupport a particular candidate, as each actions would involve the R.S.A. in party politics. The Repatriation Department was keenly criticesed. The executive recorded its disappointment with the working of the Ministerial Board during the past three months, and re-affirmed its opinion that one Minister instead of four should have been the head of the Department. The Government was censured for the long delay—four years— in the establishment of this Department, despite reminders years ago about the need of action. More than two years ago the R.S.A. tried in vain to induce the Governkment to move. It was complained that, as one result of this laggard lack of imagination, disabled and partially disabled men were suffering to-day. It was held that the Ministerial Repatriation Board had not yet adopted a proper national, statesmanlike policy of reconstruction, but was groping for guidance. This criticism exonerates district boards and local committees from- blame. It was admitted that they were doing their best under the diffieujt conditions caused by the inertia of the central body. It was mentioned that numbers of men had been misled by signing a certificate issued by the Defence Department in which the soldiers before discharge stated that they were not suffering from any disability due to war service. Some of these men found after discharge jbat they were not as free from war effects as they had imagined, but they had the impression that they had signed sway their pension rights. Mr. J. D. Harper, the R.S.A. representative on the Pensions Board, said it had been laid down as a principle, that a soldier had the right to claim a pension at any time within seven years after hit discharge, and that such rights were not discounted in any way by the signing of any statement. Mr. Harper also stated that arrangements were in progress to minimise the delays following the applications for pensions as the result of the rapid return of large numbers of men.

It was decided to obtain the opinio* of the N.Z.R.S.A. solicitor on tne action of the Minister of Internal affairs (Ihft Hon. Q. W. Russell) in preventing the trustees of the remainder of the Countess of Liverpool's Fund at ChrUtchuroh from making a grant of £3OOO towards the establishment of a returned soldiers' club in that city. The executive resolved that it could not support the Dominion Trentham Art Union scheme to provide scholarships for soldiers' children. The meeting recorded its opinion that it was the duty of the Government to provide special education facilities for every child whose father had lost his life in the war. Members declared that the Government had too great a tendency to allow its responsibilities to be taken over by the patriotic societies or other organisations of citizens.

_lt was decided to congratulate the Government on the establishment of war bursaries for returned soldiers with money held by the national war funds. The council was agreed that this action was the proper use of such a national fund. •

The executive re-affirmed its resolution that the sentences passed on con'. snentiouß objectors and other military defaulters should be served in full. A resolution was passed urging the Government to make immediate provision for poultry-keeping, bee-keeping; and other comparatively light occupations on the land suitable for partially disabled men. '

It was decided to invite seven farmers noted for their success in various kinds of farming to co-operate with the committee of the N.Z.R.S.A. at the Dominion Conference next month in the formulation of a policy for the guidance of the Government.

The executive recorded its belief that returned soldiers should not be kept out of employment by the retention of women in positions normally filled by men. At the same time the meeting agreed that any measures necessary in this respect were, evidence of the Governments failure to open up sufficient avenues of employment to assure the useful*occupation. of all willing workers men and women.

A complaint ■ was made that, while some employers were giving fair eoh<. station to_ returned soldiers, particu«rly partially disabled men, a propor, ion of employers were not fiilfillinjr >«."• promises. Their attitude snowed .eat they had not the least gratitude loi the soldiers' service overseas.