WAR PENSIONS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22520, 30 September 1938, Page 9

WAR PENSIONS

TO THE EDITOB Of THE PRESS Sir, —What has the Labour Government done for the returned soldiers? In the War Pensions Act and War Veterans Act we have the attitude of both the Reform or National Government, and the Labour Government. Most people judge the Forbes-Coates party by the slump period of 1930-35. In my mind, a fair comparison can only be taken when the national income (in other words, our exports) are approximately the same. The year 1938 was a record year, the nearest approach under the last Government being 1929. The total amount allowed under the War Pensions Act to a totally disabled man is £5 10s a week; the war veteran total is £2 15s. For sustenance purposes; the pensioner has 17s - 6d a week exempt; the veteran has nothing. The pensioner is allowed a bursary of ,£5 for books for children going to secondary schools; the veteran gets nothing. I had a total of four years 166 days' service, of which four years 73 days

were served overseas. I was on Gallipoli from April 25 to August 12, when I was evacuated with dysentry and septic poisoning. I was severely wounded in France in March, 1918. I was discharged as fit in January, 1919. Recently my health failed —I had to give up my occupation, and I applied for and received the veterans' allowance in full—a total of £2 15s a week for myself, wife, and seven children. If I go on sustenance, I am allowed a total of £3 10s. but if I do not go on sustenance I am allowed to earn a total of £4 5s a week. (Under the present Labour laws, there is not much chance of the partially disabled man earning anything.) However, if I nad no allowance I should be entitled to sustenance of £3 18s a week. A sympathetic Labour Government values a veteran at 8s a week less than the man that stayed at home: 25s a week goes for rent, leaving £2 5s to feed and clothe nine persons. Had I qualified for the war pension I should have been entitled to £5 10s. This applies to all veterans to-day. Apparently the Labour Government realise that this is not enough as it has passed increases which are to take effect from April 1, 1939—a most appropriate date. The Returned Soldiers' Association has at its disposal from Poppy Day and other funds, a certain amount for helping needy cases. Last year all , sustenance men who received this had an equal amount deducted from their j sustenance payment until it appeared that every prviilege enjoyed by re-, turned men was to be taken away.— j YOUrS,etC - 6/542. September 29, 1938.