The Government's Promises

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 140, 30 June 1937, Page 7

The Government's Promises

"HOPEFUL 1

STATlONALIST."

Sir, — In last night's paper I read that the Hon. CU W, Russell has pasBed away. it is only a week since I re-read his . book "New Zealand To-day," and with your good pefmission I will ask yOu lo publish tho following extracts: — Page 282: "As to our brave boys, their records are written in letterS of imperishablo glory, on the shores of Galiipoli, on the bomme, at Passchendaelo, in Palestine— in whatever field of war they have fought. We are proiid of them. Every where they haye borne themselves as gentlemen and as heroesi as men of the British breed at ats best. No honour is too great for them. Many hundreds of them have returned with crosses and medals as marks of honour. For the sick and WOunded the entirc hospital system of .the Dominlon has been made available. Speciai care is taken of neurasthenic aiid shell shock cases." Page 275: "On the day the declaration of war was announeed from the steps of Parliament House by the Gov-ernor-General, the Prime Mimstef (Mr. Massey) pledged New Zealand to stand in as part of the Empire. 'To the lasfc man and the last shilling. 1 That pledge was not departed from." Then we read a statement made by the Rt, Hon. J. G, Coates in the opening of the Budget debate in the Houa.e of Representatives last July: All over the country one could isee returned soldiers breaking iip as a result Of the ravages of whr, btit no provision had been made for them, so naturally he was curious Why the returned soldier pensioner was not to receive an increase in line with civil pensione'rs. The old-age ^eneion had been increased, but the pensioner would need the increase, as the cost of living had already risen more than the increase. "Where does the returned soldier eome in?" asked Mr. Coates. "It is trufe thete is a 5/- increase in the economic pension, but the promise of the Government was that the whole amount would be restored. Who dcserved the benefit of our social services more than the returned man? He has been overlooked. " — Yours. etc.,

Hastings, Juhe 29, 1937.