SOLDIERS' FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 248, 14 July 1919, Page 4

SOLDIERS' FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

« ' TIIE NEW BUSINESS. The new regulations malting it possible for applications to ho entertained by the financial Assistance Board from men who. because of absence from New Zealand at tin} time when the hnancial assistance, scheme was launched, had not been able lo apply for assistance until their'rehirn from active service, has caused h heavy increase in the work to bo done by the board.' It would appear, however, that, of tlio applications coming forward many nro not cases for assistance. ;

In a report dealing with the work of the board for the month of June, it is stated that 139 applications were received during the month of June. Of 132 new cases, and 113 old rases for review, no fewer than '110 applications wero declined, G8 were withdrawn, two were deferred for further information, and 65 grants were authorised.

It is stated in the' report that some soldiers seem to have the idea that this financial assistance has something to do with the service gratuity to be given to all soldiers, and numbers of such irregular implications have been received hecause of this. Some single men without dependants have applied for financial assistance in respect of life insurance premiums, but as these bave been met out of pay, with. a considerable margin to spare, the board lias found that no undue hardship has been caused in such cases, and. the applications have been declined.

Eemark is made (is to fho claims iinadc l>v certain applicants. The board quotes tho following case: "As an example of unnecessary waste of time to all concerned, a patriotic body handed n form to a returned soldier who was discharged on March 27, 1017, and who married the following month. A few weeks ago (morn than t;wo years after iiis discharge), tin's man purchased a gramopibono under a hire-purchase agreement. His application for financial assistance on account of instalments on the grtimophouo was, needless to say, declined." ' Tho board stated that it should be understood that only in yery exceptional cases en l ) a grant already given be reviewed. Not all of the work of the board, however, is unsatisfactory, for tho report contains the foliowins sentence: ''Manv men. on findiivr on tlieiv return that their dependants' welfare was provided for under the financial assistance scheme, hasten to express their gratitude to the board."