DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1929, Page 6

DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS

COMMISSION TO INQUIRE

By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 10,

The order of reference for the inquiry which is to be held shortly into the question- of providing such work for partially disabled ex-service men as will enable them) to live without the aid of an economic pension,. .has been drafted, and' the details will be announced by '' the Minister of Defence in the course of a day or so. In an interview, the Minister said that, while he was not at present in a position to disclose the scope of the investigation, he could repeat what he had already said in the House of Representatives, nsfmely, that a careful inquiry would be made into the .conditions and circumstances of those returned soldiers who were not physically able to maintain themselves without assistance from the State. It was clear that the -Commission, in order to arrive at comprehensive recommendations, would have to travel the country, and take evidence at the four centres, which evidence would be collected by the Returned Soldiers’ Association, who, in accordance with notifications received, were already preparing for the coming of the commission.

The commission, he said, would also inquire into the position of the South African and Maori War veterans. The Minister said the commission would investigate cases not only of the men who were partially disabled, but of those who, though neither partially nor totally disabled, were, as the result of war service, unable to maintain themselves. This would, of course, mean classification, and he should expect to receive from the Commission detailed reasons for such classification. .Whether, or not, after the commission had reported, legislation will be required, was a matter for consideration by the Government. The interests concerned were entering whole-heartedly into the very necessary examination and inquiry. He added that, while the Commission is devising means of finding suitable employment for the partially disabled ex-service men, might relieve the Government of certain annual expenditure, the result of the recommendations of the commission might, oil* might not, mean any saving to the countrv.”