WAR AMPUTEES

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 288, 3 September 1942, Page 4

WAR AMPUTEES

New Zealand Association

Rehabilitation, pensions and artificial limbs were the principal subjects discussed at the third annual conference of delegates of the New Zealand , War Amputees’ Association in Wellington yesterday. ■ . ■ . In welcoming the delegates, the president of the association, Mr. F. C. Allerby (Wellington), said that in looking back they could feel that the formation of an amputees’ association had been well justified. After the Great War; limbless men had had to go up many blind alleys before they had arrived at the position they were in today, and they wished to place at the disposal of limbless men from the present war the experience they had gained. They felt that there should-be some increase in the disability pension, as limbless men felt a little sore that after going back into civil life they were only able to earn about 10/- a week more than if they had done nothing but simply drawn the pension.

In opening the conference, the president of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association, Mr. Perry, M.L.C., said the Rehabilitation Act at present on the Statute Book was a very good measure. With regard to pensions, it might well lie in an increase in the physical disability pensions, but if this were granted, it would mean that an increase would have to be given to all pensioners. The executive of the N.Z.'R.S.A. would examine most closely and sympathetically all recommendations brought forward by the War Amputees' Association. The mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, in welcoming the delegates to the city, said that there was no more important jofc than that of looking after men who had been injured in the war, and seeing that those who had been put aside to a certain extent in the race of life had the opportunity of training and assistance to fit them to retake their place in civil life.

Disability Pension. Lengthy discussion took place regarding the necessity for raising the amount of the disability pension. The president said that since last conference a case for an increase in the disability pension had, been stated before the Dominion council of the N.Z.R.S.A. While a very sympathetic hearing was given, members of the council felt that the time was not opportune to interfere with the present disability pension. “We are facing a new position with the present war amputees,” Mr. Allerby continued, “and it is up to us, in their interest, to fight as hard as possible to get the disability pension raised, otherwise the experience learnt over the years since the last war will be of no avail. Members of the N.Z.R.S.A. quite agree that our statement and case are sound, but they cannot discriminate between a war amputee drawing a disability pension, and, say, a chest case in a similar position. From our point of view, we feel that it iwould be far better to give a disabled soldier a straight-out pension rat lair than place a means test on part of his pension, or. in other words,’grant him a certain disability pension that can be augmented if he. is not able to work, by an economic pension. This conference will have to make an important decision on this question, and I trust that the deliberations will give some finality tes to a workable proposal to go before theauthorities for an increased disability pension.” Eventually, the following remits were approved:— • # That the total disability pension of £2 a week be raised to £4 a week. That any amputee pensioner on an economic pension should be allowed to earn up to £52 a year without any deduction from his economic pension. That lodge and sick benefits should not be assessable as income for economic pension benefits. That war pensioner amputee wage earners be exempt from social security U A S remit was carried to the effect that amputee pensioners engaged in the Government service be given the■ right to retire at '35 years’ service or 55 years or age to be based on salary drawn at time of retirement on a 40-60th basis. The delegates attended a dinner at the Empire Hotel last night. The conference will be concluded today, when delegates will be addressed by the Minister of Defence, the Government Rehabilitation Officer, the chairman of the Rehabilitation Board and the architect of the limbless factory established in Wellington. ■