SOLDIERS’ PENSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1924, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ PENSION.

AEOLITION OF ECONOMIC PENSION URGED.

BY- Tnr.EOUAl’Tt—l’ltF.SS ASSN., foeYRICItT.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 27. At. a meeting of about fifty disabled returned soldiers, held hist night, it was resolved to wait on Ihe Prime Minister ami al.-o urge the K.S.A. to: (I) Press tla- Government for the abolition of the economic l« nsion and the raising of the ordinary pension to the maximum of £3 Ids per week. (•2) Make endeavours to have pensions granted to T.il. men. (3) Ask the Government to provide work in the Civil Service for partially disabled men. • (4) Have tho system of using policeon,,, to make investigations regarding economic pensions discontinued. (5) Make representation to nave eeonomie "pensions granted irrespective ol rate of ordinary pensions. The opinion was strongly o.pic-sii that the men wanted work rather turn pensions. In criticising the fusions Hoard the secretary said the full POl- - was £2. but the economic pension of 30s was incorporated in the M-t. The Association was not- going “ stand up for a deliberate slacker, but it. was going to do its best for the man who reallv tried to get work. Most of the men at the Hei Hoi Settlement were getting pensions ol 30s ot £- • week but were refused economic pen"o„s on the ground that they were working, but they were not earning anything, and in many eases the i expenditure was in excess ot then W pome The meif were there undeig ' u .„ rt of their treatment for tuberculosis. The Act- said the Board must take into consideration the peisona eVruiims and the hoard was certamh not carrying out the directions ot 1 ■««> iiament. One man was ... bed yet h pension of 30s was to stop on tin 31st March beeau.se of his income.