The Road Ahead

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 8

The Road Ahead

By Trooper

Is it not high time something was done to obviate the ever-recurring presentation of petitions to Parliament by ex-servicemen seeking redress in the matter of compensation for disabilities due or alleged to be due to or aggravated by their active service?

It is pathetic to hear members of Parliament ever pleading on behalf of some such man or his dependents for relief, for a better method of assessing the economic assistance due or asked for. and a striking commentary on bur failure to honour the promises Kiven to these men in the grand flush of enthusiasm usually evident on their "marching away to war." The granting of war pensions is governed by legislation which was enacted in 1915, and has been little altered in the years between. Doctors, medical boards and appeal boards do their best within the* confines of this legislation, and at that the result falls short of giving the satisfaction we wish for and expect.

When anomalies and difficulties are brought before Parliament, stressed by members, and appeals made for such improvements as would overcome them, Ministers of Defence, in their turn, have recourse to "the Act," and by it excuse themselves of responsibility. But why should the War Pensions Act and amendments be considered unalterable, incapable of improvement?

A discussion in the House on this very subject in the most recent session of Parliament clearly indicates the reluctance of the Administration to face the issues involved. That such a discussion should at this date be necessary is in itself little short of scandalous. But that our lads now

fighting one of the most fateful battles in history should have the prospect in the years to come that nas faced so many of the first Great War, provokes the thought that the politicians are not so much concerned with the men who fight the country's battles as with the reflected glory of their indomitable courage to the politicians themselves.

Politicians come and politicians go, but the disabled ex-serviceman remains, too often to face the menace of the years and, mayhap, in time seek consideration of his state through a petition to Parliament. And even though his plea may receive a recommendation of "most favourable consideration" by the appropriate committee of the House, it is rare to hear of such recommendation receiving tangible result to the petitioner. It more often resolves itself into but another disappointment to the unhappy ex-serviceman.

The road has been long for many of the last war. Real effort must be made by the people and by ex-service-men's organisations to see to it that the road now ahead of the men of today is not mile-posted with so much that is discreditable and falling so short of what is required, even asked for.