DISABLED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 1, 26 September 1921, Page 9

DISABLED SOLDIERS

CAMPAIGN FOR INCREASED PENSIONS DEPUTATION TO MEET MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT Several letters were read at a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association on Saturday, in which reference was made to the progress of the campaign throughout New Zealand for increasing the pensions for badly disabled soldiers and widows with children. In most cases, it was reported, articles had been published in the local papers, and members of Parliament had teen interviewed and they had agreed to support or favourably consider the matter. Mr. Leadley said the association was asking for an increase in pensions granted to badly disabled soldiers and widows with children. They were not asking for an increase in the pensions received by widows who had no children, for these women were able to work in order to supplement their income, or, in most cases, were able to mairy again. However, there was another side to the case of childless widows. He had been approached by a lady who was 53 years of ago and a war widow without children. She could not marry again, and was unable to work. I'hereforc he thought that widows without children who were over 56 should receive from £2 10s. to £3 per week. Mr. 801 l paid a tribtue to tho splendid work done by the secretary, Colonel Pow, in writing articles for newspaper* in connection with thie campaign. Regarding the meeting held in Wellington on Friday evening, ho thought tho smallness of tho attendance was due to. the fact that it had been poorly advertised, and the executive was not entirely free from blame in that connection. It seemed to him that they should not pass on without considering whether the campaign should be continued in Wellington during the Parliamentary session. He suggested that a special committee be requested to continue the campaign by urging the Wellington Association to interview local members on the subject of pensions; by headquarters arranging for interviews with local burines men to appear in the Press; and generally bv such other methods as might seem desirable. The Auckland Association should interview tho Primo Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) on his arrival in Auckland. Mr T Long said that if the president could not go to Auckland to meet the Primo Minister, tho Auckland Association would do its best. He quoted letters from clergymen in Auckland, showing that they were in sympathy with tho movement to increnso the pension*. The trade unions had also passed resolutions supporting the proposal. ■ It was eventually decided that a deputation should wait on memtere of Parliament on Tuesday and that th« sneakers should te the president (Sir Andrew Rusmoll). Messrs. T. Long, Leadlev. and M‘Donald. Mr Leadlev said that the members of Parliament, would te sure to raise the question as to how tho Government was going io secure the money to pay i nc . r ra<ed pensions, and the aeputation would have to te prepared to answer it Mr Batten said that the standard of living could ho substantially reduced before they wore on the verge of poverty. When one looked around, the financial noritton did not appear as bad as it was painted. The money was in New Zealand, and there was no argument agninst that. The chairman: I agree with yon. me argument is not heire. Mr. M'Donnld said,he believed there were directions whereby the could te found and no injury would be dono to anyone. Tho burden of the IweincM' people, however, at present was verv great, and if they wanted to capture the sympathy of those people they would have to pnt some means before them to acouire the necessary money, without demanding further taxation from them. It was no uso going to them and saving the funds would have to he raised by further direct taxation of the people.. Eftch meir/ber rf th® deputation, should put forward his own opinions as to how the money should bo raised. The chairman: Von raise a very interesting point, and I agree with you to give effect to your suggestion. Members of the executive can think the matter over and make their suggestions on Monday. Mr. M'Donald said that money rouM 1» saved by the Government stopping public servant’ continually moving from one nnrt of the country to the.othsr at the- expense of tho State There wore freonentlv two people on the same ’bns’-ne*” travelling at the same time. Mr. Batten thought, it was ridiculous to attempt to try and suggest ways and moans for raising the money. Mr. Johnson said that if there was another war the Government would soon find the money, and they should do so now. It was decided to confer to-yiorrow rgnrding suggestions for raising the mo”q to pay increased pensions.