SOLDIERS’ PENSIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1923, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ PENSIONS.

[by TKLEOIU -’ll- -PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 5. A deputation from the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association waited upon the Prime Minister to-day, and brought before him matters concerning unemployment, the treatment oi neurasthenic cases, the appointment of a pensions appeal board, and the matter of medical treatment generally. Sir Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Defence) was present. Mr l.eadlev '.secretary of the association). referring to the Mar Pension Appeal Board, said the report of the Pensions Commissioners had not yet been published, but it was hoped there was a recommendation foi' such a board, to which an ex-soldier who bin! been refused a pension could appeal. Case after case in Christchurch had proved that tlm soldier did not always get the benefit of the doubt when before the Medical Beard for a pension. Such an appeal board would do away with much dissatisfaction amongst the men whose applications for pensions had been refused. The R.S.A. suggested the board should include a Magistrate as chairman, a doctor nominated by the Government, and a doctor nominated by the R.S.A.

Sir U. Rhodes said the Pensions Board had a Magistrate as chairman, and tie- difficulty was that there could lie no appeal from magistrate to magistrate. Sir Heaton Rhodes also said that wherever direct evidence was available that a man’s trouble was due to war service, that evidence was taken by the Pensions Board, no matter from where it came.

A lengthy discussion took place con- . corning certain specific cases of failure in health of returned men. 11l reply to Mr Massey, Mr Lcudloy said the aim of the Returned Soldiers' Association was to have a layman as chairman, with two medical men on ihc board. Mr Air-sey said that, in regard to neurasthenic men, he knew oi various cases where the policy ol the department. should lie somewhat relaxed!. Sir 11. Rhodes said lie knew nothing of lhe new polity of the board, as described by the members of the deputation. He fell there must be sonic misunderstanding somewhere, but he would certainly look into the matter. .Mr .M.issey said he would see that all matters touched upon would be gone into in "Wellington.