RETURNED SOLDIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 September 1941, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS

CENTRAL COMMITTEE i MONTHLY MEETING. IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED The monthly meeting of the central committee of the Wairarapa Returned Soldiers’ Association was held in Masterton last night. Mr H. J. Brass presided. There were also present Messis H. G. Alexander. F. Shearer, L. S. Nicol. L. T. Wylie. J. D. O’Connor. W. R. McMinn, E. L. Nicholson and F. M. Cunningham (Masterton); C. A. Chennells, A. T. Murray and A. G. Rabbits (Carterton); Miss Higginson (Greytown); J. W. Fellingham and J. A. Halpin (Featherston); H. H. Thomas and N. C. D. Mason (Martinborough) and the hon. secretary, Mr A. E. Prentice. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs R. Whyborn. W. J. White (Masterton) and A. G. Nisbet (Grey town). In connection with the future distribution of canteen funds for the relief cf ex-servicemen as decided upon at the recent Dominion council meeting of the N.Z.R.S.A. at which the allocation of the funds was based on a population basis of ex-servicemen in each association district, the secretary reported that with the co-operation of the branches of the Wairarapa Association it had been ascertained that the ex-servicemen population of this district was approximately 1,000, not including returned members of the Second N.Z.E.F.

Correspondence was read in connection with the policy of the N.Z. R.S.A. towards the treatment of conscientious objectors. The secretary stated that a letter of congratulation, on behalf of the 800 members of the Association, had been forwarded to the parents of SergeantPilot J. A. Ward, V.C. Information was received from the headquarters of the R.S.A. that the financial membership of the N.Z. Association at July 31, 1941, stood at 26,714, an increase of 3183 over the same period in 1940. The membership of the Wairarapa Association was shown ai 808, an equivalent of 80 per cent or the total number of returned soldiers in the district. The scheme of gift dairy stock for the settlement of returning members of the Second N.Z.E.F. on the land y was received from headquarters. It ' was decided to ask the co-operation ci the Farmers’ Union, the A. and P. Associations and the dairy companies in soliciting donations from farmers ol suitable stock for that purpose. Accounts amounting to £62 2s 4d were passed for payment. Thirteen new members were elected. A lengthy discussion arose in respect to the lapse of time in which advice was received concerning New Zealand prisoners of war, it being pointed out that the defence sub-committee of the N.Z.R.S.A. had met representatives of the Army Department to discuss the matter. In view of the report of the sub-committee it was decided to leave the matter in their hands. A suggestion was received from several members of the Second N.Z.E.F. that the Army authorities be approached with a request that regulations be amended to permit men on leave to wear the peaked hat in lieu of the forage cap. It was decided to forward the suggestion to R.S.A. headquarters. Messrs H -J. Brass and A. E. Prentice were appointed delegates to attend the Dominion conference to be held in October. It was decided to refer the case of a disabled member of the Second N.Z.E.F. to the Soldiers Civil Re-estab-lishment League, with a view to having the man taught a suitable trade.