SOLDIERS' CLAIMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 290, 1 September 1920, Page 6

SOLDIERS' CLAIMS

ANOTHER DEPUTATION LAND AND PENSIONS A deputation representing the New Zealand .Returned Soldiers' Association interviewed the Prime Minister (Mr. Jfasscy) and -tho Minister cf Lauds (Mr. Cruthrie) to ask for increased pensions, and make suggestions regarding the compulsory purchase of land. It was introduced by Mr. G, Mitchell,M.P.,Wellington South). The speakers urged that tho pension scale should be adjusted to cover the rise in tho ccst of living, that better provision should 'be made for, permanently disabled men, and that pensions shuuld -l>c paid to widows of soldiers who had married after discharge. Some anomalies in the payment of tho gratuity were also mentioned. The Primo .Minister promised that all the points raised would bo investigated thoroughly. • Tho compulsory acquisition of 'land had been found to bo both slow ana-costlv. and he feared that an attempt to pruvide for the needs of the soldiers in that way would involve much delay. A great deal of land was being offered to the Government, and he anticipated' that the Minister of Lands would be able to make provision for all the soldiers who wished to take up farms, lhe compulsory provisions of the law were useful ia dealing with - absentee landlords. The increase of pensions, said Mr. Massev, was a matter that would rwfire most serious consideration. The financial burdens cf the Dominion were very great already. The Liovernment would consider, all tho points that had been raised.