RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1919, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

V. THE AUCKLAND DISPUTE. Bjr Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, October 23. The Advisory Committee of the Returned Soldiers' Association met to-day. Mr Long (Auckland) said that there seemed to be a feeling yesterday that so far as Auckland was concerned tliovc was an attempt at wilful obstruction. What the Auckland delegates werq concerned about primarily was to prevent, getting into the position which was responsible for the difference between headquarters and Auckland. They were agreed that the machinery was faulty; there was no question of obstruction at all, the only desire was to avoid getting into deep water again through argument on the constitution that was passed. The chairman said they could accept Mr Long's explanation. . A NEW CONSTITUTION. Wellington, Last Night. This afternoon sufficient delegates were present to form a quorum and the conference as such was resumed and proceeded to despatch the remaining business. Mr R. B. Bell (Wairoa) reported that, it the meieting. the Advisory Committee held in the morning it was decided that in view of the fact that they would have a quorum in the to appoint a committee of 12 members to go into the draft -constitution. . The committee sat in the form of three subcommittees and arrived at an tmani-> mous agreement, which it was hoped, would result in a complete settlement, and enable the Association to carry on in a business like manner. Mr Bell said the Boundaries Committee recommended five Member Associations be established. These would be, (1) Auckland as at present, (2) Wellington as at present less Gisborne, (3)' Gisborne, (4) Canterbury, (f) Otago. The new Member Association Wculd be Gis'iorne and this would include the Gisborne Association and all the local associations to the district. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr Inder (Auckland) seconded the motion. Mr Inder (Auckland) moved, ajjd Mr. Bell seconded, the following motion:— "That there be a complete amendment' of the constitution to embody the terms of the report of the Organisation Committee, which had been adopted." The motion was carried. The chairman said he was pleased with the position and that they were once again a united body. The position had been a most trying one. , Mr Inder referred to the contemplated resignation from the executive of Messrs J. D. Harper and C. W. Ba,ttcn. He moved they be asked to reconsider their decisions until at least the next conference. He paid a tribute to the excellent work done by both Mr. Batten- and Mr Harper, and he trusted they would be able to remain a littlfr longer with the executive. The motion was carried unanimously, and Mr Harper said he would reconsider his decision. SCALE OF PENSIONS. further consideration was given to the report of the Pensions Committee submitted tc delegates earlier in the week. It was decided that the finding of the previous conference at Christchurch be rescinded and it be recommended that ■ the schedule of pensions for specific injuries of the War Pensions Act, 1919, and the second schedule thereto, be regraded by the addition of plus percentages up to 150 per cent (that is £3 a week), the total percentage to be the minimum pension for total permanent disablement. It was a!ao resolved that the supplementary pensions and attendant allowances should be over and above the rate mentioned, and dependants' pensions should be assessed at the present rates. Mr Inder <Auckland) moved that a Pensions Appeal be set up to hear and determine appeals from decisions of the Pensions Board. The remit was carried. It was decided that the claim of a wife who had been refused a pension on account of her husband who had been disabled, be submitted to legal opinion with a view to taking a test action in the Supreme Court, to enforce payment of the pension. After the remainder of the report hai been passed a motion was carried unanimously expressing confidence in Mr Harper as the Association's representative on the Pensions Board.