THE R.S.A.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 34, 5 November 1920, Page 8

THE R.S.A.

It is now approximately six years ago that the Returned Soldier's Association was b rough t into heing. At that time men were returning from active service and it Ibecame easential to formulabe some machinery which would look aiter their interests. This being accomplished, much valuable work has been done and thousands of returned m,en throughout this Dominion can thank the R.S.A. for the maiiy benefits they have received. Oth ers again, for re'asons best known to themselves, have not a^sisted the R.S.A. by becoming . mpmhers. Th ey have partaken of its benefits which have been achieved by the subscripitions 61 membiers and the tireless energy of those responsible for its destiny. Retrospective allowances, back pay, matters regarding land, soldiers' dependents, and a host of other things, have 'been accelerated by the R.S.A. The Government fought hard against R.S.A. activity and only yielded under thq utmost pressure. Returned men would not have received one half of the benefits had the Association not taken up the cause of the returned man. In the whole of Its activities we can confidently say that it has not lost its prestige with the public, which is indicativs

that it has justified its existence ana conducted it6 campaign along legitimate lines. Nevertheless the R.S.A. has its difficulties, It haB carried on ita back, those to whom personal interest and selfaggrandisement stand pre-eminent. It has suffered from a lack of co-ordination in the working of its machinery. A new scheme of organisation has recently come into operation which necessitates the existence of district councils, composed of representatives from each ' associafaon. The original work of the R.S.A. Is nearing completion, and we find that organisation has been defective.- The district council merely provdes cheap trips for members and accomplishes nothing but cumbersome and ineffective machinery. It is an expensive piece of machinery whose existence deepnds on a portion of the subscription paid by members. Mr Graham, secretary of the Invercargill R.S.A. has told the Executive that there is a falling away of membership which must essentially ' financially reflect on the R.S.A. Other Associations will have the same experience, and all Associations must face this position before long. Tllfe money spent in preserving a channel of red tape must be used to prolong the life of the Association. It ig these local associations which do Ihe work and it is to their interest to dispense with useless machinery which is absorbing money on a diminishing income. The local Association haa done good work. Mr Graham gtated, at the last Executive meeting, that the time had arrived when a part-time secretary should be employed. This is no doubt true, but saving can also be effected in other directions. There is still a great sphere of usefulness for the R.S.A. and what is wanted is the strong support oi every returned soldier in the Dommion, -and when the present work is compieted, they should throw their whole weight into the politic-al scale. There is ample room for a new party and the R.S.A. can be an effective force in- bringing n into beirtg.