WAR PENSIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1933, Page 6

WAR PENSIONS

E X-SER VICEMEN'S D EM A XI) S. AMENDMENT iOF LEGISLATION. (United Press Association—By Electria Telegraph—Copyright) WELLINGTON, June 22. A deputr-tioii from the ID'S.A. Oaunicil wafted on Messrs Coates, Cobbe, and Hamilton to place before them a number of matters connet ted with the welfare of returned soldier.?. Anomalies i.i ihe circumstances -connected with soldier’s pensions were mentioned by Mr Leadley, who also asked for an amendment to the legislation to permit New Zealand Expeditionary Force- men, on reach ng 60. to participate in the extra gw-n* of 5s per week, that is n°w available to iSouth ALie r. Veterans. Mr Lead ley said tinny men who were broken down in health were unable to prove their disability. Mr Cobbe (Minister of Pen‘- i n v.), replying, said that with regard to time soldiers .married outside -New' Zealand, be would <be making a recommendation to the C'binet sboitly. As the law stood, they could «ot doal with the cases cited. It Knight he possible to make a' special grant. The marriages contracted within seven years of discharge was an older matter. As the law stood, nothing could be done i„ this ■•matter also, but- the case mentioned would *ie considered. In Regard -to those' /mnnrrying while in Receipt of the whole pension, the •circumstances in such cases were usually VVe.ry icareiVly considered. ars necessary, as largo sums might be involved. Wilb regard to those soldiers who married after discharge, the- l’.o-ard had no option. It had to guard against mercenary or improvident marriage.?, and there was always the health question. To give effect to the requests made by the delegation would, he estimated, cost a-n additional £35,000 per year. The totil of war pensions paid out las t , year we* £1,261.773, said Mr Cob-ha. It was the desire of the Board to pay out as much nfc it could, but any increase must be very seriously considered. Air Leadley remarked that, tho £35.000 apparently dreaded by the Minister was’ about half of the pensions cut last year. Mr Coates, in. his reply, indicated that he would like' to give effect- to the deputation’s w.Vdies, but be pointed out that the Government i n considering them, 1 would have to take acocunt of the financial situation. It wa s increasingly necessary to keep a watch off expenditure. He sincerely hoped tlieO,Government would never be charged \vith neg’ect of justifiable claims by soldiers, and thei,. dependents. ;"■ . "