WAR RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 29, 29 October 1920, Page 3

WAR RELIEF

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION

CLAIMS DIFFICULT TO SOLVE

The Executive Committee of the 'Wellington War Itelief Association met yesterday. Mr. L. O. 11. Tripp presided, and there were also present .Messrs. C. : Watson, G. Shirtcliffe, E. J. F.. Aldrich, and Alex. Macintosh. ~ . The Applications Committee reported that it had dealt with 232 applications ,in the past month. "During the period September M to October • 28 -the total number of claims received was 395, comprising 135 -new applications and 107 renewals and reconsiderations; 78 claims

for .which wa are responsible are still •under action, and the remaining 75 have •been; forwarded to other fwieties for • decision and - subsequent action *by us," ■added the report. "The staff has completed the first supplementary list of permanently disabled fold vers supplied 'bv the. Commissioner of Pensions, and these have been forwarded to the various societies throughout thn Dominion. 'The number of men recorded on your register as being permanently or partially disabled, now totals 453. Of these 241 have applied -to us,' with the exception of approximately 25 men who were assisted whilst ifl camp, but who have not approached Jiiv jjince their .return. ■.We,have communicated with the regaining 212, and up'to the present time we have received replies or personal ■calls from '175, the majority of whom [state that at present they are not in ■need 'of assistance, but will approach us .directly or indirectly _ should they ■ at Home future time be in,need of help. A number of- these men have ' advised us that they were not awarn that tho society was in existonce, whilst, by means -of these letters,' we have come into contact with many, deserving cases, ;and have been called upon to grant assistance in many instances to men who '.have been endeavouring to eke out an •existence on their .ipension, lowing to 'their inability to accept even the lightest form of employment. . . . The co_mImittee has dealt with 4329 claims, including 1258 new applications from December 1, 1919, *to October 30, 1920, and "it must again be brought under your '.notice that the applications now being ireceived are at least • ten times moro 'difficult-of solution than, those received •in previous years, particularly claims •from men wiio have broken down in ■health after resumption' of civilian employment as the result of an incipient 'war disability. Many inquiries have jto be made from various sources, in order that the committee may be able to (properly assess what amount of economic Joss the applicant is. suffering. This • class of application is probably the mcft 'difficult to-deride, as-in.many cases it lis doubtful whether , the breakdown is . ithe result of a war.. disability or not. jOur honorary mcdicnl advisers have' been of great assistance in enabling the committee: to decide these cases. , The. of claims received by the comfor the year ended- November i"')3o, 1919, was 4327, and this number has ' .already been exceeded by the total applications for the . cm-rent year. _ It iH, evident, therefore, that the zenith Oi • the activities of the committee has not yet been attained. Claims have been received from wives and dependent of soldiers who have, either been sent to Pukeora' Sanatorium for treatment or to

the Taulierenikan Training Farm, on account of tuberculosis; these men havo been in need of assistance pending receipt of pensions or repatriation training allowance. Applications for payment of maternity expenses have been granted iii cases where the committee has been

satisfied that such assistance is warranted by war disability. Weekly grants have been paid in many diverse circumstances to soldiers and-their dependants of various relationship; and tools of

trade have been granted to many men, .but only in instances where' your com■mittee was satisfied that the' repayment of n loan to the Repatriation. Department would have inflicted hardship. A 'number of these casese were referred to ..the' committee l>y the above-mentioned Qenartment.' 1 '

"The committee still receives from the War Expenses Department Tetrospec- • tivc children's and married allowances in connection with decoased soldiers who have left surviving thenr certain ants, and in respect to the welfare of 'children whose parents' claims have ■been forfeited for - misconduct; these moneys liavt been disbursed in many ,different'ways solely for the benefit ,of the children. A considerable number of

these cases harve proved difficult;' of solution, but the Department has expressed its thanks and appreciation of the co-operation of your association. Ap(plications are still being' received req'nesting assistance for ; t.he purchase of house uroperty, and in this respect the jdemand on the funds hns been so heavy ; that it hns been decided that no fur-

ther applications of this nature from men discharged Fit A can be entertained. upon the grounds that the society is responsible for Approximately onethird of the total number of permanently partially disabled men, with only onefiftli of the total funds held by tlie .various natriotic and war relief associat'ons within the Wellington military district. -The committee, whilst giving every application - the fullest considera-

tion. and taking every case on its merit l , docs not consider' the funds subscribed for' the benefit of sick, wounded, and necessitous soldiers, should/be utilised in

assisting men returned fit, unless under excentional circumstances: or that your

funds should be used for the benefit of Imperial soldiers or their depend,aijts. who have arrived in New Zealand

with depleted financial- resources, and applied to us for assistance pending receint. of civil wages'." •

The Finance Commfttce reported ■ that the total funds as at September 30 were: ,—lnvestwcnt«. > ",r;5G,137 IBs. 9(1.; current account. ,£lfio7 1%. 3d.; petty cash, .£2O; total, .£57,765 17s.