EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1929, Page 6

EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE

CONGER ENCE D 1 SCUSSJONS

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright!.

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 2(5

The Empire Service League discussed problems of ex-lmperial soldiers resident overseas and incapacitated after migration, owing to war injuries.

Mr McCann pointed out that though the Dominions financially assist such cases they could not he expected to shoulder the whole burden for which the Imperial Government was ultimately responsible. It was resolved that the Empire Council make an effort to obtain further funds to relieve such cases. Mr Simpson (New Zealand) moved that the British Pensions Department cense to capitalise pensions in order to enable ex-servicemen to migrate. He rWlnred many exservicemen broke down owing to the rigorous conditions overs'*»K and were left destitute, because of the capitalised pensions. Mr -McCann declared it was disgraceful that ex-servicemen could not migrate without capitalising their pensions. Sir A. W. Russell pointed out that in consequence. of capitalisation, exservicemen evaded the medical examination which they must undergo if they were assisted migrants. The Conference also carried a resolution recommending an Imperial Govern time limit in respect to pensions testablish schemes for educating am 1 caring for war orphans who ought to he financially assieted till twenty-one. 'l'he Council was instructed to request the Dominion Governments to give preference to ex-servicemen.