WAR PENSIONS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18363, 22 April 1925, Page 9

WAR PENSIONS.

MISSION FROM ENGLAND. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, April 21. For the purpoeo of co-ordinating methods of- payment of Imperial war pensions by the New Zealand Government, Mr G. J. Gilbert, principal clerk to the British Ministry of Pensions, is paying a visit to tho Dominion. Mr Gilbert arrived by the Athenic, and he expects to remain in New Zealand ior about six weeks. Mr Gilbert is on a. 15 months' tour, covering all the important countries of tho Empire wrUi the exception of Canada. He left wigland at the end of December, and after visiting the British West Indies ami British Guiana, he joined the Athento at Panama. The New Zealand Government pnvs pensions to a considerable number of Imperial ex-soldiers and exsailors, most of whom emigrated to this country after the war. It obtains from the Imperial Government a refund of the moneys so paid. The primary purpose of Mr Gilbert s visit is to confer with the Comptroller and Auditor-General, who reviews the accounts of the New Zealand Pensions Department with the object of bringing tho accounts respecting Imperial pensioners into line with tho Imperial Goivernment's requirements. He is also empowered to discuss with the Government anv other relevant questions th at may arise. Among theso may be the method of paving pensions and thenadjustment. By arrangement Imperial war pensioners in New Zealand are brought before Medical Boards from time to time, and their pensions are reviewed by the Pensions Department in accordance with instructions lr om Home. Mr Gilbert will doubtless discuss this phase of the matter with the authorities.