EX-SERVICE MEN

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1929, Page 7

EX-SERVICE MEN

FINDING SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT. MINISTER STATES OBJECT OF enquiry. WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. The order of reference for the enquiry which is to be held shortly into the question of providing such men for partially disabled es-Servlce men ns will enable them to live without the aid of the economic pension has been drafted and the details will be announced by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. Mr. Wilford) in the course of a day or so. In an interview with a representative of “The Press” to-night the Minister said that while he was not at present in a position to disclose fche scope of the investigation, he could repeat what he had already said in the House of Representatives, namely that a careful enquiry would be made into the condition 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 youkl be collected by the Returned Soldiers’ Associations, who in accordance with notifications received were already preparing the way for the qorfiing of the Commission. .

“The Commission will also enquire into the position of the South African and Maori War veterans,” the Minister added. “As I have” stated ‘ previously, it costs the Government between £BO,OOO and £90,000 annually by way of economic pensions and while the Government does not complain at having to find this money, it feels that; if the men who are receiving the economic pensions can be (found employment appropriate to their physical condition the men would be happier, more hopeful, and given an entirely changed outlook on life. The Commission will also investigate the cases not only of the men who are partially disabled, hut of those who though neither partially nor totally disabled are as a result of war service unable to maintain themselves. This will ,of course mean classification, and I should expect to receive from the Commission detailed reasons for such classification, “It has been argued in the House for some years that the adequacy of the sources available at present and the sufficiency of the methods employed for helping those whose positions will he enquired into should be looked into and carefully considered. I hope that after those who represent the Returned Soldiers’ Association the National War Funds Council, the Red Cross .Society, and the St. John Ambulance Association have furnished their report much light will be thrown on a position that is certainly obscure nt the present time. Whether ov not nf= ter the Commission has reported legislation will b« required is a matter for consideration by the Government. I may say that the interests concerned •pro entering whole-heartedly into this very necessary examination and enquiry, aqd I look forward to hopeful lasting results to the ex-Service men and to the country,

“As I have pointed out previously” the Minister added, “ while the Commission h devising means of finding suitable employment for the partially disabled ex-Service men may relievo the Government of a certain annual expenditure, I am satisfied that the result cif the Commission’s recommendations may or may not mean any saving to the country.”