R.S.A. Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1922, Page 3

R.S.A. Conference.

W\K disabilities and pensions. IS THERE NEGLECT ? [ UY TKl.liGllAl’Jl— I’IIH PRESS ASSOCIATION]

WEIddNGTON. June 11. The Minister of Defeme and the IM-mTor-t tenoral of Medical Services exphiined to the’H.S.A. Conference the policy of the Government regarding the opinions of medical men upon the disabilities of ex-soliliers. It has been complained that the Defence Department has constantly lad-■(-d lo recognise the value o! tile sigm.< statements of medical men in tracing soldiers’ disabilities through war ser-

\‘i (, e. i t The G.M.D.S. emphatically denied Dial the Department is slack in its methods. Every ease, he said, received proper consideration and it "as not correct lo sav tlie G.M.D.S. alone made the decisions. The decision icsteil with tae War Pensions Board. Medical ceit ilicates were certainly of essential value. Doctors were loquirej to state the reasons for their recommendations. !o mental cases a medical history sheet was obtained from the Superintendent „f (he ‘Hospital. This enabled D.G.M. S. lo judge how long the disease had been in existence. Some times it was found that doctors examining soldiers were not aware of the war history or fhe patient. Doctors had certified shell shock in the ease of men who had never gut further than England. " Ti, ( . Minister. Sir H. Rhodes, denied that any direction or suggestion was over made to the D.G.M.'S. that, as a means of economy, he should minimise tin* number of ] eusiens granted. The Pensions mid the Medical Appoid "Boards were quite independent ol action hy Parliament or C-duiiet. The Cabinet as whole was sympathetic to the interests of i eturned soldiers. SOLDIKP SETTbKBS.

The Conference then derided that it would lie unwise further to press this mutter. Qn the question of land file following resolutions were onrrietl : Tluu soldier settlers have undertaken obligations to the country, and now tiler are asking for concessions. AVe therefore, consider as a fust guiding principle that every 'soldier settlor is morally bound to make ail earnest endeavour to carry out those obTTgations to the very best of his ability so that the highest confidence nniv exist between the soldier settler and tenant and thir common landlord, the Crown, and that by so doing the interests of the State and therefore . f the general public are being considered as far as they possibly eon he; also that the (t<v vcrnment be urged to deal with the questions of the C.S.S. Act, an ( ( administration during tile following session.