WAIRARAPA R.S.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1943, Page 4

WAIRARAPA R.S.A.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE REHABILITATION MACHINERY. CONSIDERED TO BE EXCELLENT. The monthly meeting of the central committee of the Wairarapa R.S.A. was held last night in Masterton, the president, Mr H. J. Brass, being in the chair. There were also present Messrs H. G. Alexander, F. Shearer, J. J. Andrew. S. T. Smith. J. G. Heasley, S. G. Slater. E. L. Nicholson (Masterton), A. G. Rabbits. C. A. Chennells, F. L. Barr (Carterton), Miss Higginson (Greytown), Messrs J. W. Fellingham, J. A. Halpin (Featherston), N. C. D. Mason, N. H. Thomas and W. J. Knell (Martinborough). An apology for absence was received from Mr L. S. Nicol. A statement appearing in the Press recently in regard to rehabilitation matters, made by Mr Slater, was fully discussed. The committee resolved that it did not approve and never’had approved individual members of the committee making statements to the Press in their capacity as executive members and that the committee expressed the view that the rehabilitation machinery was considered excellent and that if the recommendations of the New Zealand R.S.A. in regard to all questions of rehabilitation were given effect to by the Government, every satisfaction should be given. It was decided to place on record appreciation of the services rendered by three retiring members, Messrs L. T. Wylie, J. D. O’Connor and H. Nuttall. The president welcomed Messrs Heasley and Slater, the two newlyelected representatives of present war service men, and Messrs Smith and Andrew, two other newly-elected committee members. It was reported that an appeal on behalf of an R.N.Z.A.F. member against the decision of the War Pensions Board had been sent to the War Pensions Appeal Board. It was also stated that six appeals had been received on behalf of soldier settlers of the last war to have their cases brought under review by the Uneconomic Farm Committee and that the committee was now considering each of the cases. A plan of the layout of the proposed new soldiers’ plot in the Masterton Cemetery was laid before the meeting. It was stated that the Masterton Borough Council had approved the plan. The new plot made provision for 500 burials.

It was decided to forward the plan to the Internal Affairs Department for final approval and to thank the Borough Council for the very generous way in which the matter had been dealt with. The committee placed on record its appreciation of the services of Mr C. R. Mabson. Borough Engineer, in connection with the matter. A letter was received from the Dominion President of the N.Z.R.S.A., the Hon W. Perry, setting out a scheme of land settlement for returned service men, arising from which it was decided to communicate with the Wel-lington-East Coast district vice-presi-dent and the Farmers’ Union, with a view to calling a meeting of farmers to ascertain what land could be made available for soldier settlement. The committee's action in investing £S(TO in the Third Liberty Loan was confirmed. Accounts totalling £315 18s 4d were passed. It was decided to order 12,500 poppies for the Wairarapa area for next year's Poppy Day campaign. The financial membership, as at June 30, was reported to be 721, including 63 present war members. Eighteen new members were elected, including 13 present war members, two First N.Z.E.F. members, one South African veteran and two ex-Im-perial men. Mr Nicol, the hon treasurer, was granted leave of absence for 12 months. Mr Alexander was appointed actingtreasurer. -r It was decided that a sub-committee representing present war members should be set up to act in conjunction with the Central Committee in dealing with all matters of complaint in respect to soldiers of the present war returning to this district. It was agreed to convene a social gathering for September 1.